By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emerged as the most approved government official in a recent nationwide survey conducted by the RPMD Foundation Inc.
The “Boses ng Bayan” survey, conducted April 1–8, showed Marcos Jr. posting the highest rating among the top four public officials, driven by combined trust and approval scores.
The non-commissioned survey covered 5,000 respondents across socioeconomic classes nationwide, with a margin of error of ±1 percent at a 95% confidence level.
Marcos Jr. earned a 57% Index of Governance (IOG) score, supported by 56% trust and 58% approval ratings.
RMPD noted that public confidence in the President and his administration remained steady despite recent political developments, including discussions on the possible impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and arrest of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.
Marcos Jr. enjoyed 58% support in Balance of Luzon (excluding Metro Manila), which appeared to be his strongest political base.
He also gained ground in Mindanao, a region considered a stronghold of the Dutertes and their allies.
On the other hand, respondents in the Visayas “remained politically divided but leaning slightly in favor of the President,” RPMD said.
Duterte registered a 54% IOG score, with 57% trust and 51% approval ratings.
She continued to enjoy the strong backing in Mindanao but posted a lower approval rating compared with other senior officials included in the survey.
Former Senate President Vicente Sotto III obtained a 52% IOG score (51% trust and 53% approval ratings), while House Speaker Faustino Dy III recorded a 55% IOG rating (54% trust and 56% approval ratings), according to the survey.
Sotto was replaced by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President after a majority of senators voted to declare all leadership positions in the chamber vacant on May 11.
Meanwhile, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian topped the list of top-performing Cabinet officials, with an 87% IOG score, followed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara (85%), Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla (82%), and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon (80%).
Other top-performing Cabinet members were Executive Secretary Ralph Recto (78%), Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida (76%), Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (75%), Trade Secretary Cristina Roque (73%), Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (72%), and Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo (70%).
Lagdameo was followed by Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez (69%), Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac (67%), and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa (65%), Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro (63%), Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (62%), Housing Secretary Jose Aliling (60%).
Completing the list were Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III (58.5%), Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez (57%), Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda (55.5%), Finance Secretary Frederick Go (54%), Energy Secretary Sharon Garin (53.5%), and Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan (52.5%), Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe (51.5%), and Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo (50.5%).
RPMD said the results reflect an evolving political landscape shaped by issues of accountability, governance performance, and institutional stability.
“This is the political mood of Filipinos now,” RPMD executive director and Global Affairs analyst Paul Martinez said.
“The electorate are becoming more politically divided, but also more engaged and more discerning. Regional and class-based preferences are becoming more pronounced, reflecting a more competitive and evolving political environment,” he added.
