Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos emerged as the top performer among all the Cabinet secretaries of President Marcos based on the recent RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD) "Boses ng Bayan" survey.

The survey results released on Friday, April 26, covered 10,000 respondents nationwide from March 18 to 24. Through "meticulous" face-to-face interviews, the respondents were asked to evaluate the overall effectiveness of cabinet officials in their respective roles.

Abalos, who heads the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), emerged as the top performer with a 91 percent job performance rating and a 93 percent trust rating. The DILG is responsible for initiatives to maintain peace, ensure public safety, and enhance local governance.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian followed closely behind with an 89 percent job approval rating and 91 trust rating. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) leads the government's programs for social protection and poverty alleviation among marginalized groups.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco Garcia landed in third place with an 87 percent job satisfaction rating and an 89 percent trust rating. The Department of Tourism (DOT) advances tourism for economic prosperity and societal well-being.

Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), who oversees the national budget, secured the fourth spot after attaining an 85 percent job performance score and an 87 percent trust rating.

Meanwhile, Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla of the Department of Justice (DOJ), completed the top five performers with an 83 percent job satisfaction rating and an 85 percent trust rating.

The other Cabinet secretaries received the following ratings:
 

• Finance Secretary Ralph Recto (81 percent)
• Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro Jr. (79 percent)
• Press Secretary Cheloy Garafil (77 percent)
• Health Secretary Ted Herbosa (76 percent)
• Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan Uy (74 percent)
• Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan (72 percent)
• Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. (71 percent)
• Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra (68 percent)
• Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual (66 percent)
• Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (65 percent)
• Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac (63 percent)
• Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista (61 percent)
• Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (60 percent)
• National Economic and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan (58 percent)
• Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (57 percent)
• Housing Secretary Jerry Acuzar (55 percent)
• Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla (53 percent)
• Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel Tiu Jr. (50 percent)
• Agrarian Reform Secretary Condrado Estrella III (48 percent)
• Environment Secretary Toni Yulo Loyzaga (46 percent)

RPMD Executive Director and global analyst Dr. Paul Martinez said evaluating cabinet secretaries via nationwide public opinion surveys enhances public accountability and governance transparency and is essential for ensuring government actions reflect the public’s expectations and needs.

He added that the surveys provided critical feedback, helping officials align with public needs and encouraging engagement.

He also said that the surveys set objective performance benchmarks, fostering efficiency within government operations.