Marcos net satisfaction score falls to ‘poor’ -11 in September, SWS says
Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s net satisfaction slid to a “poor” -11 in September 2026, down four points from June, according to a non-commissioned Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Thursday, Oct. 8. The Sept. 21-27 survey found that 35 percent of adult Filipinos were satisfied with the president’s performance, 46 percent dissatisfied and 20 percent undecided. SWS classified the latest rating as “poor,” a downgrade from the “neutral” rating in June. The president’s score, however, remained above his personal record low of -15 in March. The survey was conducted during a politically charged period, as the Senate Impeachment Court continued hearing the case against Vice President Sara Duterte, with proceedings drawing attention to allegations involving her finances and the prosecution’s evidence. During the survey period, the impeachment court also voted on Sept. 23 to revise its interpretation of the two-thirds requirement for conviction, potentially lowering the…
ICC rules Duterte fit to stand trial
Metro Manila, Philippines – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ruled that former President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial, clearing a major hurdle ahead of the scheduled opening of proceedings on Nov. 30. In a decision dated Sept. 28 and made public Thursday, Oct. 8, Trial Chamber III found that Duterte has the capacity to understand the charges against him and effectively exercise his right to a fair trial. The ruling was based on the unanimous findings of an independent panel of medical experts, along with submissions from the parties and participants in the case. According to the ICC, the panel concluded that Duterte can understand the purpose and consequences of the proceedings, follow the trial, comprehend the evidence presented against him, and instruct his lawyers in preparing and conducting his defense. The experts also determined that the former president understands the nature and implications of entering a…
Tax records show Duterte income beyond official pay, cash holdings
Metro Manila, Philippines – Tax records presented in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Thursday, Oct. 8, showed compensation from the Davao City government while she was already the second highest official of the land, as well as other income reported in the following years beyond her compensation. Testifying as witness for Article II, which alleges unexplained wealth and discrepancies in financial disclosures, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Office of the Commissioner chief of staff Anne Loraine Garcia-Marquez a BIR Form 2316 attached to Duterte’s 2023 income tax return identified the City Government of Davao as her employer and Duterte as the employee. The form was signed by the local government accountant and Duterte. Garcia-Marquez said this meant Duterte received compensation from the Davao City government in 2023. The prosecution then raised constitutional provisions on the vice president’s restrictions against holding another government position or receiving other government emoluments…
Duterte lets lawyer submit statement to NBI on alleged cash deliveries
Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte opted to let her lawyer submit a sworn statement to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) instead of personally appearing in response to corruption allegations by a former police officer. The 15-page affidavit rejected the accusations of dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who said he was the former head security of ex-Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, and also delivered gifts and suitcases of cash to the vice president and members of her family. Gracioso said a number of hand-offs occurred in 2018 to 2020, totaling around ₱2 billion in cash supposedly received by the vice president. Duterte denied the allegations, including a claim that Gracioso fetched her from a hangar in Pasay City or that she received chocolates from Velasco and his spouse. “Mariin kong itinatanggi ang mga pahayag ni Rodulfo Mondigo Gracioso, Jr… na iniuugnay ako sa mga pangyayaring hindi ko ginawa,…
SC makes it easier for Filipinos to seek recognition of foreign divorce
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Supreme Court has approved new rules making it easier to secure judicial recognition of a foreign divorce by removing the requirement to prove the applicable foreign law when filing a petition, according to a court briefer. The court said it approved the amendments on Oct. 7, allowing Filipino spouses to establish that a foreign divorce took place without having to separately prove the divorce laws of the country where it was obtained. Under Article 26(2) of the Family Code, the changes apply to petitions involving marriages between Filipinos and foreign nationals. The amendments introduce Section 48-A of Rule 39, which presumes that a foreign divorce allows the foreign spouse to remarry under foreign law unless the divorce decree explicitly states that it is limited. Previously, Filipino spouses seeking recognition had to establish the relevant foreign divorce law as part of their case. Under the new…
