Citing reforms of the sectoral elections, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), in their joint pre-election assessment report released on Sept. 1, noted that while "reserved representation guarantees access to seats, [it] does not necessarily guarantee political agency over who occupies them."

Sara Duterte's approval rating rose to 61.3% while President Ferdinand Marcos stood at 36.4%, according to Momentum Research's August 2026 survey, amid ongoing impeachment trial

Advocacy group Team Pinas urged the Gen Z to turn their political frustration into sustained political action and meaningful civic participation.

Acosta’s testimony thus left the court with two competing questions: Duterte’s alleged authority to order the release of the money, and whether the person who received and supposedly implemented the confidential activities had the authority to handle the funds.