As 2025 closed, two national surveys offered more than just approval numbers; they revealed how Filipinos are assigning blame, sympathy, and responsibility in a year marked by disasters, hearings, and political tension. Once elected as a tandem, President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte now occupy opposite sides in the court of public opinion.
What the Surveys Say
A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, conducted from November 24 to 30, 2025, placed Marcos at a -3 net trust rating, while Duterte scored a robust +31. This gap was reinforced by Pulse Asia’s “Ulat ng Bayan” survey, conducted December 12 to 15, 2025.
The latter survey showed Marcos with 34% approval and 32% trust, against 48% disapproval and 47% distrust. Duterte, despite facing her own legal challenges, posted 56% approval and 54% trust, maintaining majority support.
The Cost of Governance
President Marcos’ drop is closely tied to the unresolved flood control scandal that took over the second half of 2025. Because as investigations drag on and disaster continues to disrupt lives, public patience has thinned. Survey data shows his weakest ratings in the Visayas, Mindanao, and among Class E Filipinos, communities that bear the brunt of anomalous projects.
Marcos has also commented on nearly every issue, including matters outside his direct authority. Rather than projecting control, his constant visibility has contributed to public fatigue. Lingering controversies involving allies and family, such as the “adik” allegations voiced by his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, against him, have only added to the perception of an administration in perpetual damage control.
VP Sara’s Quiet Advantage
Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte’s steadier numbers point to a different approach. She remained largely silent on flood control issues while public focus shifted to the International Criminal Court (ICC) case against her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. This sparked emotional reactions, particularly in Mindanao and the Visayas, regions where she continues to enjoy majority trust.
Trust as Political Currency
The Pulse Asia survey also found that inflation, corruption, and wages remain Filipinos’ top concerns, areas where the Marcos administration earned mostly disapproval. In such an environment, leaders closely tied to visible failures suffer most.
For now, these surveys suggest a clear divide. Marcos is paying the price for governing loudly amid unresolved crises, while Duterte benefits from staying just far enough away from the fallout.
