Democracy Watch Philippines

23/10/2026

"The Supreme Court’s ruling on the 2024 and 2025 national budgets raises a fundamental question about constitutional government: what limits apply when Congress changes the President's proposed appropriations?

The Court found unconstitutional a ₱449.5-billion increase in the 2024 unprogrammed appropriations and a ₱17.99-billion increase in the 2025 Special Road Fund. It also struck down certain provisions in the 2026 budget. The ruling does not make unprogrammed appropriations unconstitutional; it requires them to comply with constitutional and fiscal rules.

The administration plans to seek reconsideration. That process should clarify how budget flexibility can be reconciled with legislative authority, fiscal discipline, and public accountability. This is a wake-up call for the Marcos administration."

Prof. Julio Teehankee
Former Dean, College of Liberal Arts
De La Salle University

19/10/2026

More than a third of Filipinos want the national government to focus on lowering food prices as inflation accelerated to a three-year high in September, according to a new Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group.

The survey, released on Friday and covering 2,400 respondents nationwide from Sept. 17 to 23, showed that 35% of Filipinos said the Philippine government should prioritize making food, particularly rice, meat and fish, more affordable. The figure was five percentage points higher than the 30% recorded in July but remained below the 41% recorded in March.

More than a third of Filipinos want the national government to focus on lowering food prices as inflation…

19/10/2026

AFFORDABLE food prices are still the biggest concern Filipinos want the national government to address, according to a Pulse Asia survey in September commissioned by the Stratbase Group.

The Sept. 17 to 23 survey found that 35 percent of respondents making food, particularly rice, meat and fish, more affordable ranked ahead of creating jobs, curbing corruption, and improving access to education and health care.

AFFORDABLE food prices are still the biggest concern Filipinos want the national government to address, according to a Pulse Asia survey in September commissioned by the Stratbase Group.

19/10/2026

Food affordability remained the top concern of Filipinos, with 35 percent urging national government leaders to make basic goods cheaper, up 5 percentage points from July, according to a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Stratbase Group.

Food affordability remained the top concern of Filipinos, with 35 percent urging national government leaders to make basic goods cheaper, up 5 percentage

15/10/2026

The opposition must forge a united front if it wishes to mount a credible contest against Vice President Sara Duterte, political analyst and Stratbase Institute President and CEO Prof. Victor Andres Manhit said in light of the recent Pulse Asia survey on Filipinos’ presidential bets for 2028.

During an interview with dzBB’s “One on One” on Thursday, Prof. Manhit noted that while Duterte remains the top presidentiable, “if it’s a one-on-one contest, a strong viable option can emerge.”

This after the Pulse Asia survey showed that Duterte leads with 57 percent in any three-way race between Naga Mayor Leni Robredo; Senators Raffy and Erwin Tulfo; and Senator Risa Hontiveros, but in a two-way contest between her and Robredo, the race is closer: 54 percent to 40 percent, respectively.

“What the numbers show is that if it’s a two-way race, then the election is a bit more competitive…what’s good about the opposition uniting is that it’s also better for the Filipinos to only have to choose between two options: governance under a Duterte administration, or governance under a different coalition,” he said.

“This should be the direction of Filipino voters for the future beyond 2028,” he added.

Dapat mabantayan ang pananaw ng taumbayan sa takbo ng pulitika sa b...

14/10/2026

"Focusing on Article II can sharpen the prosecution’s case and sustain public interest in the quest for accountability. Beyond the trial, it would also allow the Filipino public to more closely ponder the evidence and testimonies already presented in relation to Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth so they may decide with clarity and informed judgment when evaluating their leaders."

Dr. Francisco Magno
Founding Director
La Salle Institute of Governance

14/10/2026

QUEST FOR ACCOUNTABILITY MUST CONTINUE BEYOND THE IMPEACHMENT COURT

Impeachment is only one avenue for accountability. The withdrawal of an article by the House Prosecution panel does not erase the allegations or resolve questions surrounding the alleged misuse of confidential funds. The Filipino people deserve answers.

Democracy Watch calls on the appropriate oversight, audit, and investigative bodies to continue examining these allegations within their respective mandates, preserve relevant evidence, and uphold due process.

Accountability must not end with the impeachment proceedings. The public has the right to know how its money was spent and who, if anyone, must be held responsible under the law—regardless of position or political affiliation.

14/10/2026

Public trust in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. edged up in September, but Vice President Sara Duterte continued to record a higher trust rating despite facing an ongoing impeachment trial, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The survey, released on Tuesday and commissioned by local think tank Stratbase Group, found that 36 percent of Filipinos expressed “much trust” in Marcos, up by 2 percentage points from his 34 percent rating in June 2026.

Public trust in Marcos edged up in September, but Duterte continued to record a higher trust rating despite the ongoing impeachment trial.

14/10/2026

Vice President Sara Duterte maintained a 20-percentage-point trust lead over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in September, with more than half of Filipinos expressing strong trust in her compared with just over a third for the President, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Tuesday.

Vice President Sara Duterte leads President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by 20 points in trust ratings, as Marcos' satisfaction rating dips further into negative territory, according to the latest SWS survey. Discover the public sentiment shaping the political landscape in the Philippines.

14/10/2026

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s trust rating rose by two percentage points to 36% in September, while Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio kept a substantial lead at 56% despite her impeachment trial, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The Sept. 21-27 survey, commissioned by Stratbase Group, found that 40% of Filipinos had little trust in Mr. Marcos, down from 45% in June, while 22% were undecided.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s trust rating rose by two percentage points to 36% in September, while Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio kept a substantial lead at 56% despite her impeachment trial, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.