More than 3 in 5 Filipinos believe it is important for former President Rodrigo Duterte to personally face charges filed against him in the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to WR Numero’s April 2025 survey. Meanwhile, more than half agree that he should be held accountable for killings under his administration’s drug war.
The latest Philippine Public Opinion Monitor surveyed Filipinos on their views regarding the arrest of Duterte and the ongoing investigation by the ICC. Conducted from March 31 to April 7, 2025, this is the first national survey following the March 12 arrest of the former leader by Interpol and Philippine authorities under a warrant issued by the ICC.
On holding Duterte accountable
The nationwide survey revealed that 62% of Filipinos believe it is important for Duterte to personally stand trial in The Hague for the charges against him. Meanwhile, 20% disagree, and 19% are unsure. Additionally, 52% agree that he should be held accountable for crimes against humanity of murder for killings related to the drug war, while 24% disagree and 25% are unsure.
More than 6 in 10 (61%) also believe that the investigation and subsequent trial will help uncover the truth about the killings during Duterte’s drug war, while 21% disagree and 18% are undecided.
When asked whether no one, including former presidents, should be above the law, 75% of Filipinos overwhelmingly agreed. Meanwhile, 16% were unsure, and 8% disagreed.
On investigating co-perpetrators
The demand for accountability extends beyond Duterte. A strong 61% of Filipinos believe it is important to bring his co-perpetrators to trial at the ICC. However, 21% view their arrest as unimportant, with 18% undecided. (See Figure 4)
Additionally, 2 in 3 Filipinos (66%) believe President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should prioritize investigating and prosecuting police officers who abused their authority during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. In contrast, 18% are undecided, and 16% disagree with this approach. (See Figure 4)
On the ICC investigation and trial
The nationwide survey revealed that Filipinos’ trust in the ICC is divided. More than half of Filipinos (53%) trust the international court to conduct a fair and impartial investigation and trial of former Pres. Duterte. In comparison, 47% express distrust toward the ICC.
Meanwhile, two-thirds of Filipinos (66%) think that the Philippines should allow the ICC to do its job and ensure smooth and fair investigation and trial on former Pres. Duterte. Some 17% disapprove of this statement, and the same percentage are unsure.
The survey questions featured in this press release were commissioned by Dr. Gary Ador Dionisio. The nationwide survey, conducted from March 31 to April 7, 2025, was done through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,894 registered voters residing in the Philippines.
The nationwide survey has a margin of error of ±2% at a 95% confidence level. At the subnational level, the margin of error is ±6% for the National Capital Region, ±5% for North and Central Luzon, ±5% for South Luzon, ±5% for the Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao, all at the same 95% confidence level.
These findings are part of the WR Numero Philippine Public Opinion Monitor, Volume 2025, Issue 2 (April 2025 National Survey). The survey includes the latest voter preferences for the May 2025 and 2028 elections, as well as current public opinion on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte and the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
To receive updates once the complete WR Numero Philippine Public Opinion Monitor Volume 2025, Issue 2 is released, sign up at bit.ly/PPOMSignup.PR
