Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva believes that Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s high approval and trust ratings “reflect the people’s trust in the Senate.”
From 49 percent in December 2023, Zubiri’s performance rating rose to 52 percent in Pulse Asia’s March 6–10 survey, while his trust rating increased from 51 percent to 53 percent during the same period.
Villanueva also credited Zubiri’s improved ratings to the latter’s “steady, sober leadership of the Senate.”
“Because of this, the Senate President enjoys not only the trust of our people but [also] the trust of the members of the Senate,” the Majority Leader said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The Pulse Asia survey is very telling, as the results give us an idea of who our people trust among our leaders, who our constituents believe is really credible,” he added.
Of the top national officials covered by the survey, only Zubiri registered increases in both performance and trust ratings.
Both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s and Vice President Sara Duterte’s ratings declined in the March 2024 survey.
From 68 percent in December 2023, Marcos’ performance rating dropped to 55 percent in the March 2024 survey, and his trust rating was down to 57 percent from 73 percent.
Duterte’s performance rating, on the other hand, decreased from 74 percent to 67 percent, while her trust rating went down from 78 percent to 71 percent.
Villanueva also linked the latest survey results to the controversial Charter change initiative.
According to the Majority Leader, the timing of the survey “validates the approach the Senate has taken about different issues, particularly the Charter change.”
“Despite the politically charged and sometimes acrimonious discussions on constitutional amendments, Senate President Zubiri has led the way by consistently taking the high road, and we believe the Filipino people appreciate this,” Villanueva pointed out.
Zubiri himself led the filing of a measure, proposing changes to specific economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
The measure remains pending in the Senate subcommittee on constitutional amendments, while the House of Representatives has already approved its counterpart measure.