MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s approval and trust ratings suffered a sharp decline in the first quarter of 2025, while Vice President Sara Duterte experienced a surge in public support, according to the Pahayag First Quarter Survey (PQ1-2025) conducted by Publicus Asia Inc.
The independent survey, conducted from March 15 to 20, involved 1,500 registered Filipino voters and was released on March 28. It revealed shifting public sentiment amid rising political and economic concerns.
Survey Findings
Marcos’ approval rating saw a steep drop, plunging from 33 percent in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024 to just 19 percent in Q1 2025. Disapproval of the president increased to 57 percent, while 24 percent remained neutral. Conversely, Duterte’s approval rating rose from 37 percent to 42 percent, with 37 percent disapproving and 21 percent neutral.
Marcos’ trust rating also fell dramatically, from 23 percent in Q4 to 14 percent in Q1 2025. A significant 63 percent of respondents expressed low or no trust in the president, while 23 percent held moderate trust. Duterte’s trust rating, however, increased from 31 percent to 39 percent, showing a growing divide in public perception of the two top leaders.
The survey, conducted through purposive sampling, divided respondents into five regions: the National Capital Region (NCR), North-Central Luzon (NCL), South Luzon (SL), Visayas (VIS), and Mindanao (MIN). The margin of error was ±3 percent.
Political and Economic Factors Behind the Shift
Analysts attribute Marcos’ declining ratings to various factors, including concerns over corruption and inflation. However, a key issue identified by the survey was Marcos’ involvement in facilitating the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) warrant of arrest against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
On March 11, 2025, former President Duterte was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and transported to The Hague, Netherlands, to face charges of alleged crimes against humanity before the ICC. The move sparked widespread disapproval, particularly in Mindanao, where Duterte remains highly popular.
According to the survey, “VP Sara’s big gain is driven by NCL and MIN, while PBBM’s drop is driven by all regions and segments.”
Declining Ratings for Other Top Officials
Aside from Marcos, other key government officials also saw their approval and trust ratings decline:
- Senate President Chiz Escudero: Approval fell from 37 percent to 31 percent; trust declined from 26 percent to 22 percent.
- House Speaker Martin Romualdez: Approval dropped from 20 percent to 14 percent; trust plummeted from 13 percent to 10 percent.
- Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo: Approval slid from 25 percent to 20 percent; trust rating edged down from 17 percent to 16 percent.
Duterte remained the exception, maintaining an upward trajectory in both approval and trust, despite the broader dissatisfaction with national leadership.
Implications for 2025 and Beyond
The latest survey results underscore growing dissatisfaction with the Marcos administration, fueled by economic struggles and political controversies. With Duterte gaining momentum, the political landscape could see significant shifts in the coming months as the administration navigates these challenges.
As public sentiment continues to evolve, the coming quarters will be crucial in determining how the Marcos administration responds to the pressures of governance and public accountability.