PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. retained the trust of the majority of Filipinos at 50 percent while Vice President Sara Duterte retained the trust of a near majority at 49 percent despite suffering a continuing drop in their trust ratings since July last year, a commissioned survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.
The survey, commissioned by Stratbase Consultancy, was held from January 17 to 20 and involved 1,800 adult respondents with a margin of error of ±2 percent.
The results showed that 50 percent of Filipinos have “much trust” in the President (down from 54 percent in December 2024) while 26 percent have “little trust” (from 25 percent) and 22 percent (down from 19 percent) are undecided.
This resulted in a net trust rating (much trust minus little trust) of +24, which is down by 5 points from +29.
The President’s trust and net trust score have been going down successively since July last year at 64 percent and +42 percent, respectively. Marcos’ trust rating was at 57 percent in September, 54 percent in December, and 50 percent in January while his net trust score fell to +33 in September, +29 in December, and +24 in January.
He was most trusted in the Balance of Luzon at 60 percent much trust and 19 percent little trust (from 66 percent, 16 percent in December) which resulted in a +41 net trust (down from +50); followed by the National Capital Region at 52 percent much trust and 24 little trust (from 52 percent, 31 percent) resulting in a net trust rating of +28 (up from +22).
In the Visayas, 44 percent have much trust and 31 little trust on the President (from 54 percent, 24 percent) resulting in a net trust rating of +13 (down from +31); and in Mindanao, 37 percent have much trust and 36 little trust (from 33 percent, 42 percent) on Marcos resulting in a net trust rating of +1 (up from -9).
Stratbase Institute President Professor Victor Manhit said the President’s continuing drop in trust and net trust score “may likely be due to the growing frustration over the government’s weak response to rising inflation.
“With the cost of essential goods continuing to rise, many Filipinos feel the administration’s efforts to ease the burden have been slow and insufficient. To restore public confidence, the Marcos administration must double-down on its responses by implementing long-term solutions to stabilize inflation and support struggling Filipino households,” Manhit said.
The SWS survey also showed the Vice President’s trust rating and net trust ratings were also on a downhill at 49 percent “much trust” (down from 52 percent), 20 percent undecided (up from 17 percent) and 30 percent “little trust” (form 29 percent).
This resulted in a net trust rating of +19 down from +23.
Duterte’s trust and net trust scores have also been going down successively since July last year at 65 percent and +45 percent, respectively. The Vice President’s trust rating was at 55 percent in September, 52 percent in December and 49 percent in January while her net trust score fell to +29 in September, +23 in December and +19 in January.
She was most trusted in Mindanao at 78 percent much trust and 10 percent little trust (from 83 percent, 10 percent in December) which resulted in a +67 net trust (down from +73); followed by the Visayas at 55 percent much trust and 23 little trust (from 57 percent, 26 percent) resulting in a net trust rating of +33 (from +32).
In NCR, 36 percent have much trust and 39 little trust in the Vice President (from 41 percent, 40 percent) resulting in a net trust rating of -3 (down from +1); and in Luzon, 33 percent have much trust and 41 little trust (from 38 percent, 37 percent) on Duterte resulting in a net trust rating of -8 (up from +1).
Manhit said the Vice President’s continuing drop in trust ratings was “due to her continued reluctance to explain her spending on the allocation of confidential and intelligence funds.
“At a time when many are struggling with the high cost of basic necessities, the public needs reassurance – now more than ever – that taxpayers’ money is being spent properly to benefit the Filipino people. The Vice President’s refusal to address questions regarding her spending of public funds is understandably eroding her public trust rating,” Manhit said.