Marcos Trust Rating Hits Record Low; VP Sara Stable

Public trust in President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. fell to a record low in the second quarter, while Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio kept a stable rating ahead of the President’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by the Stratbase Institute. About 34% of respondents said they had “much trust” in Mr. Marcos, down from 35% in March, while 45% expressed little trust and 19% were undecided, the survey found. Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit said the findings should prompt the administration to focus on issues affecting Filipinos’ daily lives as the President prepares to deliver his annual address. “As President Marcos prepares to deliver his fifth SONA, Filipinos will be looking not for rhetoric but for a clear plan to address the issues that affect their daily lives,” he said in a statement on Sunday. The latest survey extended a broader decline in the President’s trust rating from 64% in July 2024. His rating slipped through 2025, briefly recovering to 48% in June last year before falling to the latest 34%. Meanwhile, Ms. Duterte’s trust rating held steady at 57%, unchanged from the March survey, indicating stable public confidence despite recent political developments. However, the share of respondents expressing little trust in the Vice-President rose to 27% from 22% three months earlier, while 15% remained undecided. Mr. Manhit urged Mr. Marcos to use the SONA to demonstrate stronger political resolve in addressing inflation, employment and public services. He said the administration should “demonstrate stronger political will in bringing down the cost of food and other basic commodities, ensuring stable prices, creating quality jobs and improving the delivery of essential public services.” Mr. Manhit also said the President should reassure the public that the government remains committed to transparency and accountability amid recent controversies. “Recent controversies, including questions surrounding flood control projects and the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Vice-President, have heightened public demand for transparency and responsible leadership,” he said. “The President has an opportunity to show that no one is above accountability and that public resources will be protected. Restoring public confidence begins with delivering meaningful solutions to the everyday concerns of the Filipino people,” he added. The nationwide survey was conducted in June through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents. It had a sampling error margin of ±3 percentage points for national estimates and ±6 percentage points for Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao at the 95% confidence level.