Manila: 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 from April 1 to 8, highlighted Marcos as leading among the top four public officials, driven by combined trust and approval scores.
According to Philippines News Agency, the non-commissioned survey covered 5,000 respondents across socioeconomic classes nationwide, with a margin of error of ±1 percent at a 95-percent confidence level. Marcos earned a 57-percent Index of Governance (IOG) score, supported by 56-percent trust and 58-percent approval ratings. RPMD 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 the arrest of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.
Marcos enjoyed 58-percent 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. Meanwhile, respondents in the Visayas 'remained politically divided but leaning slightly in favor of the President,' RPMD said.
Duterte registered a 54-percent IOG score, with 57-percent trust and 51-percent approval ratings. She continued to enjoy 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-percent IOG score with 51-percent trust and 53-percent approval ratings, while House Speaker Faustino Dy III recorded a 55-percent IOG rating with 54-percent trust and 56-percent approval ratings, according to the survey.
Meanwhile, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian topped the list of top-performing Cabinet officials with an 87-percent IOG score, followed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara (85 percent), Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla (82 percent), and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon (80 percent). Other top-performing Cabinet members included Executive Secretary Ralph Recto (78 percent), Justice Secretary Eric Vida (76 percent), and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (75 percent).
The list continued with Trade Secretary Cristina Roque (73 percent), Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (72 percent), and Special Assistant to the President Secretary Anton Lagdameo (70 percent). Lagdameo was followed by Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez (69 percent), Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac (67 percent), and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa (65 percent), Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro (63 percent), Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (62 percent), and Housing Secretary Jose Aliling (60 percent).
Completing the list were Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III (58.5 percent), Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez (57 percent), Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda (55.5 percent), Finance Secretary Frederick Go (54 percent), Energy Secretary Sharon Garin (53.5 percent), and Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan (52.5 percent), Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe (51.5 percent), and Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo (50.5 percent).
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.
