Bongbong Marcos, VP Duterte, Romualdez get high approval rating

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (left) shakes the hand of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (center) after delivering his first State of the Nation Address at Batasang Pambansa on July 25, 2022. Also in photo is House Speaker Martin Romualdez. PRIB file photo / Voltaire F. Domingo

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez are among the government officials who got high approval and trust ratings.

The RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD) has unveiled its findings in an independent and non-commissioned “Boses ng Bayan” public opinion poll, carried out between June 25 and July 5, 2023, and released on July 20.

It highlighted Marcos and Duterte with impressive job approval ratings, with 82% and 86% approval rating respectively.

Dr. Paul Martinez of RPMD said both leaders demonstrated exceptional performance in trust—an essential foundation of leadership. Over the past year, Marcos gained the high confidence of 86% of Filipinos, and Duterte earned an extraordinary 90% trust rating, illustrating the profound trust that both officials have successfully garnered among their constituents.

Ratings of Zubiri and Romualdez

Regarding congressional leaders, the Filipino populace gave high approval ratings for Zubiri and Romualdez, with approval rating rising to a noteworthy 69%, marking an increase of +7 percentage points, for the Senate President, and 70% approval rating for the House Speaker, which reflected a significant gain of +10 percentage points.

The trust ratings of the congressional leaders also experienced promising growth. Zubiri’s trust rating increased by +6%, reaching 71% now, while Romualdez saw a +9% increase, resulting in a commendable 72% trust score. These results highlight the growing public sentiment of positivity toward the leadership of these influential congressional figures.

Cabinet performance

Regarding cabinet officials, Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) maintained his position as the top cabinet official with an outstanding performance rating of 88% and a 93% trust rating.

Abalos was followed by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who assumed office in January 2023 (76% approval, 85% trust rating), National Security Adviser Eduardo Año (75% approval, 87% trust rating), Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco (75% approval, 70% trust rating), Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman (73% approval, 75% trust rating), Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual (71% approval, 65% trust rating), and DICT Secretary Ivan John Enrile (71% approval, 78% trust). Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla (69% approval, 66% trust rating), and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno (68% approval, 70% trust rating) also exhibited high approval and trust ratings.

In the rankings from 6th to 10th place, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople had 66% approval and 68% trust ratings, followed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (66% approval, 69% trust rating), DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo (66% approval, 67% trust rating), DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan (64% approval, 69% trust rating), and Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra (64% approval, 69% trust rating), who secured commendable approval and trust ratings.

Tulfo, Villar, Revilla are top performers

The latest rankings reveal top-three performing senators—Raffy Tulfo (89.4%), Mark Villar (88.6%), and Bong Revilla (88.5%)—showcasing impressive metrics in a statistical tie. 

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