MANILA, Philippines โ A new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey shows a widening gap in public trust rating between the countryโs top two leaders: President Ferdinand โBongbongโ Marcos Jr.โs net trust rating slipped to โ3, while Vice President Sara Duterte climbed to +31.
The figures, released in late December, reflect diverging public sentiment toward the MarcosโDuterte leadership tandemโonce marketed as a symbol of unity, now increasingly seen by voters as politically and perceptually disconnected.
First, what is a โnet trust ratingโ?
SWS measures trust by asking respondents whether they have โmuch trust,โ โundecided,โ or โlittle trustโ in a public official.
The net trust rating is computed by subtracting the percentage of respondents with โlittle trustโ from those with โmuch trust.โ
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A positive net trust means more Filipinos trust the official than distrust them.
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A negative net trust, especially for a sitting president, signals eroding political confidence.
In the latest survey:
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Marcos: 38% much trust vs. 41% little trust โ Net: โ3
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Sara Duterte: 56% much trust vs. 26% little trust โ Net: +31
Why did Marcosโ trust rating fall?
Marcosโ dip into negative territory comes amid mounting public dissatisfaction over governance issues, particularly allegations tied to infrastructure spending, flood-control projects, and perceived failures in accountability.
While the administration continues to emphasize economic growth and stability, critics argue that corruption concerns, slow disaster response, and rising living costs have weighed on public trust.
The decline is also geographically broad.
Marcos posted negative net trust ratings in Mindanao, Visayas, and Metro Manila.ย This suggests that skepticism toward the President is no longer confined to traditional opposition areas.
Why is Sara Duterteโs trust rising?
Vice President Sara Duterteโs strong showing reflects her continued popularity, especially in Mindanao and the Visayas, where she remains one of the most trusted national figures.
Political analysts note that her rise may be fueled less by active governance and more by contrast: as dissatisfaction with the Marcos administration grows, Duterte benefits from being perceived as politically distinct, despite still being part of the same elected ticket.
Her trust numbers also indicate that regional loyalty and political branding continue to play a major role in shaping public opinionโsometimes outweighing policy performance.
Why does this divergence matter?
Trust ratings are not election results, but they function as a barometer of political capital.
For Marcos, a negative net trust weakens moral authority to push reforms. It makes the administration more vulnerable to criticism, and encourages opposition and dissent within political institutions.
For Duterte, a strong positive rating reinforces her image as a viable national leader, strengthens her leverage in future political alignments, and keeps her firmly in public contention ahead of future elections.
The growing gap also underscores the collapse of the โunityโ narrative that carried both leaders to victory in 2022.
What should readers keep in mind?
SWS surveys capture a moment in public sentiment, not fixed political outcomes. Trust can rise or fall quickly, especially in response to crises, scandals, or economic shifts.
Still, the latest figures point to a clear trend: Filipino voters are increasingly distinguishing between leaders rather than judging the administration as a single bloc.
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