The latest OCTA Research Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey results--which has indicated higher trust and satisfaction ratings for the House of Representatives--proves the effective leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez.

This was the gist of the joint statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 6 by solons who belonged to the political parties that comprised the House majority bloc.

Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Romblon lone district Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona of the Nacionalista Party (NP), Parañaque Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of the National Unity Party (NUP) and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre of the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI) all credited the rise in public confidence to Romualdez's leadership.

The results of the OCTA Research TNM survey showed that 57 percent of Filipinos trust the House, up by 8 percentage points from last year; while 55 percent were satisfied with its performance, also an increase of 8 points.

The poll covered key regions across the country and measured public sentiment on major national institutions.

“You don’t get an 8‑point jump in trust by chance. That happens when you have a Speaker who knows where the country should go and gets the job done. Under his watch, the House is not just passing laws but we are delivering change people can feel,” Garin said.

“Alam ng mga kababayan natin kung sino ang nagtatrabaho para sa kanila at kung sino ang hindi. And this is reflected sa survey na ito. Kitang-kita naman natin ang pagtaas ng tiwala ng taong-bayan sa Kongreso,” added the deputy speaker.

(Our fellow citizens know who is working for them and who is not. And this is reflected in this survey. We can clearly see the rise in public trust in Congress.)

Enverga, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, attributed the ratings jump to consistent, measurable action. The numbers show that a disciplined, united House earns public trust, he says.

“The message of this survey is simple: deliver on your promises and the people will stand with you. Ito ang sinasabi sa atin ng taumbayan. Kaya nararapat lamang na ituloy natin ang nasimulan sa ilalim ni Speaker Romualdez (This is what the people is telling us. That's why we must continue what was started under Speaker Romualdez),” Enverga said.

He noted that the chamber’s output has been steady even during these politically-charged times.

“Strong leadership is tested in rough waters, and the Speaker has steered this House through without losing sight of what matters most – the people’s needs,” Enverga said.

Madrona, chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, said the OCTA survey was a validation of the House’s hard work, especially during the 19th Congress where it has been considered to be one of the most productive Congresses to date. 

Madrona says the higher trust rating is also a green light from the people to keep pushing forward. “This is the public telling us: keep going, keep working together. At ito nga ang aming gagawin at ipapagpatuloy sa 20th Congress."

For his part, Yamsuan said the public’s trust was hard-earned and was a clear endorsement of the Speaker’s governance. 

“We all know that trust is earned, and these survey results show that the House has earned it by being proactive in addressing the needs of our people. The people’s confidence should motivate us to pass even more measures that improve lives and secure our future,” Yamsuan said.

Acidre, chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, said the Speaker’s leadership has given the House a clear sense of direction. “When leadership is decisive yet inclusive, it produces results that people can see and appreciate. That’s what these survey figures are telling us,” he said.

Acidre stressed that the higher ratings also affirm the relevance of the House’s legislative agenda. “Our work is aligned with the aspirations of ordinary Filipinos. That alignment is a product of the Speaker’s vision for a House that listens and acts,” he added.