A senior House official said the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte are beginning to shape public perception ahead of the 2028 elections, as recent surveys point to a tightening race among potential presidential contenders.
House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor linked the shift to growing public attention on the impeachment case, as well as Duterte’s continued silence on the allegations.
Recent survey results from Pulse Asia and OCTA Research reflect what Defensor described as increasing public awareness of the proceedings.
“Yes, pwedeng bumaba ang rating ng vice president dahil walang sagot sa impeachment. Tandaan niyo, maraming Pilipino ang nanonood sa TV, sa YouTube, nakikinig sa radyo ng live ng mga committee hearings,” Defensor said in an interview. “Sa telepono lang, hawak-hawak mo, puwede ka nang manood.”
A lawyer and member of the House Committee on Justice, Defensor said public exposure to the hearings has helped deepen understanding of the allegations, which include claims of misuse of public funds, corruption, bribery, and grave threats.
He added that this growing awareness may also be influencing lawmakers as the impeachment process moves closer to a plenary vote.
“At the more na may lumalabas na ebidensyang hindi sinasagot ng vice president… mas nakakaintindi ang mga congressmen at ang mga Pilipino kung ano ang ebidensya, kaya siguro bumaba ang kanyang rating,” he said.
The latest Pulse Asia survey, conducted from February 27 to March 2, showed Duterte’s lead narrowing to 51 percent against former vice president Leni Robredo, who garnered 43 percent in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup. A March 19–25 survey by OCTA Research showed a similar trend, with Duterte at 46 percent and Robredo at 35 percent.
In another scenario, Duterte and Senator Raffy Tulfo were statistically tied at 46 percent each, with Tulfo posting stronger support in Balance Luzon while Duterte maintained an edge in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Earlier surveys had consistently placed Duterte as the clear frontrunner, but Defensor said the latest results suggest a shift in voter awareness as impeachment proceedings gain traction.
He also noted that the absence of a direct response from Duterte may be influencing public sentiment.
“It is a welcome development na ang awareness ng tao sa mga issues, especially on corruption and on the impeachment is better,” Defensor said. “Mas magandang mas transparent ang nakikita ng taong ebidensya para maging batayan din nila ‘yun for 2028.”
Duterte declared her intention to run for president as early as February 18, 2026, well ahead of the official filing period for certificates of candidacy. Both Robredo and Tulfo have previously said they are not seeking the presidency, preferring to focus on other political plans.
Despite these statements, both have continued to register strong and growing support in recent surveys, which Defensor said reflects shifting political dynamics amid the impeachment controversy.
He also argued that Duterte could be more vulnerable in a direct one-on-one race compared to a multi-candidate contest.
“Mas magandang magsama ang mga hindi-Duterte para mas matatag ang kanilang boto,” he said. “Mas matatag ang kalaban ni Vice President Sara kung one-on-one pa rin kaysa sa three-way fight.”
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the impeachment complaint on May 11, after members are given time to review the consolidated articles approved by the House Committee on Justice.
With 55 votes already secured at the committee level, only 51 more are needed to meet the constitutional one-third threshold required to transmit the case to the Senate for trial.
Defensor expressed confidence that support for impeachment may still grow, citing evidence presented in hearings and continued public scrutiny of the Vice President’s responses or lack thereof.