Marcos, Duterte ratings drop in Q1 of 2026

Title Marcos and Duterte's Ratings Take a Hit A Closer Look at Q1 2026 Survey Results

The Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte have seen their approval and trust ratings decline in the first quarter of 2026, according to a recent survey conducted by Pahayag 2026. This downturn is not unexpected, given the various challenges facing the country, including rising fuel prices, flood control issues, and ongoing ICC cases.

The Survey Numbers

President Marcos' approval rating decreased from 22% to 19%, while his trust rating fell from 15% to 13%. Vice President Duterte's approval rating dropped from 34% to 28%, and her trust rating declined from 31% to 26%.

Factors Contributing to the Decline

The survey suggests that dissatisfaction with President Marcos' handling of flood control accountability, his predecessor's ICC case, and rising fuel prices are key factors contributing to his decline. For Vice President Duterte, impeachment complaints against her and developments involving her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained at The Hague for crimes against humanity linked to his campaign against drugs, have likely influenced her ratings.

Government Officials' Ratings

Notably, Senate President Tito Sotto remains the second most popular government official, with a 23% approval rating and 14% trust rating. Speaker Faustino Bojie Dy and Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo follow closely behind.

Government Agency Performance

In contrast, some government agencies have maintained high public ratings. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) tops the list with a 65% approval rating and 45% trust rating. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also received positive marks.

Infrastructure Institutions' Ratings

On the other hand, political and infrastructure institutions like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the House of Representatives registered low public ratings.

Methodology

The Pahayag 2026 survey was conducted from March 21 to 24, 2026, sampling 1,509 registered Filipino voters through PureSpectrum's Singapore office. The survey tracks seven key modules, including state of the country and economy, national issues, macro and micro concerns, approval and trust ratings of leaders and institutions, emotional perception of leaders, performance of elected officials, and media consumption habits.

As we move forward in 2026, it will be crucial for President Marcos and Vice President Duterte to address these concerns and work towards improving their public image. By understanding the reasons behind their declining ratings, they can make data-driven decisions to increase their approval and trust ratings among Filipinos.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.