APRIL 2, 2026 — Vice President Sara Duterte is learning the hard way that political capital can evaporate faster than confidential funds. The latest PAHAYAG survey by PUBLiCUS Asia shows her disapproval rating shooting up to 51% in the first quarter of 2026 — nine points higher than last quarter — while her approval has slipped to just 28%. For someone who once enjoyed a steady mid-30% approval, this is a sharp fall from grace.

What’s fueling the backlash? At the top of the list are the four impeachment complaints filed against her, cited by 33% of respondents as the biggest factor dragging her down. Add to that the shadow of her father’s International Criminal Court charges, which 15% of respondents say directly affect their view of her. 

The Duterte name, once synonymous with iron-fisted leadership, now carries baggage that’s proving hard to shake.

Sara herself hasn’t helped matters. Her public regret over aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022 — also cited by 15% — has left many wondering if she’s rewriting history to save face. Her early hints at a 2028 presidential run, coupled with the confidential fund controversy, each cited by 12%, only deepen the perception that she’s more focused on ambition than accountability.

The survey also notes smaller but telling issues: perjury complaints tied to fund handling, allies dragged into ICC-related proceedings, and her name constantly in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. 

For a vice president who once positioned herself as a strong alternative, the narrative now paints her as embattled, reactive, and increasingly isolated.

Filipinos are watching closely. The impeachment complaints may or may not prosper, but the damage to public trust is already visible. In a country where political fortunes can turn overnight, Sara Duterte’s slide is a reminder that no dynasty is bulletproof.

With disapproval climbing and controversies multiplying, do you think Sara Duterte’s political future is already slipping through the cracks?

(Image: Inday Sara Duterte | Facebook)