MANILA – A majority of Filipinos believe former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for killings linked to his administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign, according to a new nationwide survey.

The Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll, commissioned by the Stratbase Group, found that 50% of respondents agreed that Duterte must face accountability for deaths tied to the controversial campaign. Meanwhile, 32% disagreed, 15% were undecided, and 4% said they did not know enough to give an opinion. The survey interviewed 1,500 adult Filipinos between September 24 and 30 and has a ±3% margin of error.

The survey asked this question to recipients: “Gaano po kayo sumasang-ayon o hindi sumasang-ayon na dapat panagutin si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa International Criminal Court ukol sa mga patayang may kaugnayan laban sa illegal na droga noong panahon ng kanyang administrasyon?”

The results were released shortly after the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague rejected Duterte’s request for interim release from detention. The former president faces trial for alleged crimes against humanity over the drug war, which has been widely criticized for its high death toll.

ICC judges cited Duterte’s continued political influence and the potential risk of witness interference or flight as reasons for denying the appeal, despite humanitarian arguments regarding his age and health.

The Need for Rule of Law, Growing Demand for Accountability as Basis

Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit, president of the Stratbase Group, said the survey reflected “growing public recognition that accountability must prevail over political power.”

“The data clearly show that Filipinos believe justice and the rule of law are essential foundations of our democracy,” he said. “People understand that no one, not even a former president, should be above the law.”

Support for holding Duterte accountable was highest in the Visayas (54%) and Metro Manila (53%), followed by Balance Luzon (52%). 39% of respondents in Mindanao, Duterte’s political stronghold, agreed with the statement.

Manhit added that the findings indicated an “important shift from popularity to responsibility.”

“The Filipino people’s faith in accountability reflects our collective hope for a justice system that works, both at home and before the international community.”

“This is not about vengeance or politics, but about truth, justice, and healing for thousands of families affected by the war on drugs,” Manhit stressed.

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