MANILA — Despite recent survey results showing a decline in his trust and performance ratings, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. continues to maintain the confidence of a majority of Filipinos, highlighting both the resilience and the challenges of his administration as it moves into the next two years of governance.
The latest Tugon ng Masa survey by OCTA Research revealed that Marcos’ trust ratings fell seven points, from 64% in July 2025 to 57%, while his performance ratings dropped eight points, from 62% to 54%. Dissatisfaction rates also climbed, with 26% of respondents expressing disapproval of his administration’s work1.
Most of Marcos’ trust comes from Balance Luzon (67%), followed by the National Capital Region (55%), while higher distrust levels were noted in Mindanao (25%)1. Vice President Sara Duterte also experienced a slight decline in ratings, continuing a downward trend in both trust and performance.
Palace Reaction and Context
Malacañang dismissed the survey dip as not indicative of a broader loss of confidence. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that “Pero nandodoon pa rin po… Iyong majority po ay nandoon pa rin po iyong kanilang trust sa ating Pangulo”2. She added, “hindi po tayo maaapektuhan ng anuman pong numero”2.
Observers say that while the decline is modest, it underscores growing public scrutiny amid ongoing challenges, including disaster response operations for Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) and preparations for the upcoming storm Uwan, infrastructure gaps in provinces like Cebu, and the public push for greater transparency in government through SALN disclosures.
Regional Disparities
Analysts note that regional differences in trust ratings could influence future policy and political dynamics. Luzon continues to be a stronghold of support, whereas concerns in Mindanao point to perceived gaps in local development, disaster preparedness, and social services1.
Implications for Governance
Maintaining trust above the 50% threshold provides Marcos with a mandate to push forward his legislative and policy agenda, but experts caution that continued attention to disaster management, transparency, and service delivery will be critical to prevent further erosion of public confidence.
“Public trust is earned not just by numbers but by consistent, visible action,” said political analyst Dr. Julienne Valera. “The next two years will be decisive in shaping whether the administration consolidates its support or faces growing skepticism.”
As the administration tackles pressing national concerns—from typhoon recovery and flood mitigation to transparency initiatives and economic programs—these ratings serve as both a reminder of support and a call to action: effective governance and accountability remain under the watchful eyes of the Filipino people.
Sources
Footnotes
Palace Press Briefing, Claire Castro, November 2025, Philstar ↩ ↩2
OCTA Research, “Tugon ng Masa Q3‑2025 Survey on Trust and Performance Ratings of President Marcos and Vice President Duterte,” GMA News ↩ ↩2 ↩3
