Although President Marcos received a 77 percent job performance rating, while Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte was not far behind with 76 percent, the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD) September 2023 survey said that both leaders suffered a drop in their performance ratings.
(From left) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte at the launch of Pier 88 in Liloan, Cebu on May 27, 2023. (Yummie Dingding/PPA Pool)
Data released from RPMD’s “Boses ng Bayan” nationwide public satisfaction survey on Thursday, Nov. 9, showed that the public continues to be satisfied with the President’s performance, though his score had a “modest decline” to 77 percent from the 82 percent he achieved in the second quarter.
Duterte, who is currently embroiled in the confidential funds controversy, suffered “a more pronounced decrease in her performance rating” as it fell by 10 percentage points from 86 percent to 76 percent.
“Trust ratings have also undergone adjustments,” the RPMD said.
The latest trust ratings of the country’s top two officials showed Marcos’ declining to 82 percent from an earlier mark of 86 percent, while Duterte’s trust rating is now at 83 percent, down by seven percentage points from 90 percent.
Dr. Paul Martinez, executive director of RPMD, characterized the Chief Executive’s 77 percent performance rating as “a robust endorsement from the Filipino electorate.”
“This figure suggests that the President's initiatives and leadership are well-received by a significant majority,” the statement read.
And despite the decrease in the Vice President’s performance and trust ratings, it still “reflects a strong validation of her office, indicating that a notable portion of the population approves of her actions and leadership style.”
"These figures are indicative of the trust and confidence vested in the current administration by the citizens," Martinez noted.
Aside from Marcos and Duterte, the survey also “recognized the distinguished performance of Cabinet officials within the incumbent Marcos administration, noting their significant achievements during the recent polling cycle.”
Congress’ top two leaders—House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri—both received high performance and trust ratings.
(RPMD/Facebook)
Zubiri’s trust rating is up to 74 percent from 71 percent previously, while his performance rating is at 72 percent from 69 percent.
Romualdez, on the other hand, has a 75 percent performance rating, up by five percentage points from 70 percent. He also received a trust rating of 76 percent, an increase of four percentage points from his former 72 percent.
The congressional leaders’ high performance and trust ratings reflect “the growing confidence in their capabilities” and “also indicate that their legislative policies and efforts are well-received by the public,” the RPMD added.
Cabinet officials of the current administration also received high performance ratings, with Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. leading with 90 percent approval and 94 percent trust rating.
He is followed by Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, who are virtually tied for second place with 84 percent and 83 percent approval ratings and trust ratings of 88 percent and 86 percent, respectively.
(RPMD Facebook page)
On third place are Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman have garnered approval ratings of 81 percent and 80 percent, and trust ratings of 84 percent and 82 percent, respectively.
The fourth rank is shared by Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual and Information Secretary Ivan John Enrile Uy, with approval ratings of 78 percent and 77 percent, and trust ratings of 80 percent and 83 percent, respectively.
Completing the Cabinet’s Top 5 are Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who achieved respective approval and trust ratings of 75 percent and 78 percent and 74 percent and 79 percent.
(RPMD/Facebook)
They are followed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. with 72 percent and 71 percent, respectively; Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma with 70 percent; Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra with 69 percent; Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. and Press Secretary Cheloy Garafil with 67 percent; Housing Secretary Jose Acuzar and NEDA chief Arsenio Balisacan with 66 percent; and Environment Secretary Toni Yulo Loyzaga and Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla with 64 percent.
Rounding up the Top 10 are Health Secretary Ted Herbosa with 63 percent; chief presidential legal adviser Juan Ponce Enrile with 61 percent: and presidential adviser on the peace process Carlito Galvez Jr. and Presidential Management Staff acting chief Elaine Masukat with 60 percent.
(RPMD Facebook page)
The "Boses ng Bayan" survey, conducted by RPMD from Sept. 20 to 30, 2023, sampled 10,000 individuals from the Philippines' 65.75 million registered voters.
This survey was carried out with a margin of error of +/-1% and a confidence level of 95 percent.