Sara ratings up, Marcos’s slightly down – OCTA

MANILA, Philippines — Trust and satisfaction with the performance of Vice President Sara Duterte rebounded in a survey conducted by the OCTA Research group weeks after the arrest of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

But the Vice President’s ratings still remain slightly lower than those of her erstwhile ally and now political foe, President Marcos, who saw his trust and satisfaction ratings decline in the latest poll.

The “Tugon ng Masa” survey, conducted from April 2 to 5, saw Marcos’ trust ratings drop five points to 60 percent, from 65 percent in November 2024.

Those who distrusted him significantly increased from 12 percent to 23 percent, while undecided respondents decreased from 24 percent to 18 percent.

Meanwhile, satisfaction with the performance of the President dropped from 64 percent to 59 percent.

His dissatisfaction rating increased from 13 percent to 20 percent, while those who were undecided slightly dropped from 23 percent to 20 percent.

It was a different case for the younger Duterte, who saw her trust rating increase by nine points, from 49 percent in November 2024 to 58 percent this month.

Distrust with the Vice President dropped from 28 percent to 19 percent, while undecided respondents remained almost the same at 22 percent, from 23 percent in the previous OCTA survey.

Her satisfaction rating also improved, from 48 percent to 56 percent, while dissatisfaction dropped from 29 percent to 20 percent. The 23 percent were undecided, similar to the previous poll.

While Marcos’ ratings continued to slip, the latest survey results showed a reversal in the trend for Duterte.

Last year, she saw her ratings decline as her relationship with Marcos and his allies soured.

The controversies that hounded Duterte’s leadership at the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education eventually led to her impeachment at the House of Representatives. Her trial is expected to begin after the elections.

Even with the decline in Marcos’ performance rating, the OCTA report noted “it is not substantial.”

The OCTA poll had 1,200 adult respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.

Amid repeated political mudslinging with the Dutertes, OCTA’s survey showed Marcos still enjoys the trust and approval of six out of 10 Filipinos.

While the President’s trust rating saw a modest five-point decrease from the first quarter, a closer examination of the OCTA data reveals that the decline was localized, primarily driven by Mindanao, where the Duterte family’s political influence remains strongest.

Marcos remained exceptionally high across most of the country, with historic highs of 92 percent in the Ilocos Region, 87 percent in the Cordillera Administrative Region and 83 percent in Cagayan Valley – or a resounding affirmation of his leadership from key regions.

Notably, no distrust was recorded against Marcos in the Cordillera Administrative Region, underscoring the unshakeable loyalty of broad sectors of the Filipino populace.

The dip in Mindanao can be easily understood within the context of political realignment and traditional loyalties in the region. Importantly, in every other major area of the Philippines, the President’s majority trust and approval ratings remain firm and stable.

The survey at the same time reported that dissatisfaction with Marcos remains low nationwide, registering significant dissatisfaction only in Davao, further confirming the isolated nature of the decline.

Across socioeconomic classes, Marcos’ trust remains strongest among the broadest sector of society, class E, where he even posted an increase in trust and satisfaction compared to previous surveys.

‘Validated’

Responding to the OCTA survey, Marcos yesterday expressed belief that Filipinos remain appreciative of the government’s efforts to address their needs.

In an interview in Silang, Cavite after attending the graduation rites of the Philippine National Police Academy, the President was asked to comment on the survey findings.

“It just validates what we are doing. People are beginning to understand what we have been trying to do for the last two and a half years,” he told reporters.

“It continues to inspire me because it shows that we are making progress. That’s always good to know,” Marcos said.

In a statement, Malacañang said despite political controversies, Filipinos remain focused on the administration’s “bigger achievements” and that public trust has proven resilient despite attempts to sow doubt on the Marcos administration.

“Nevertheless, positive or negative, it will not stop the President from working and fulfilling his goals for all Filipinos. He will never be distracted by the ratings, though they will all be considered for the betterment of the country,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said. — Delon Porcalla, Helen Flores