By Lane Afable, News Editor
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emerged as the most approved government official in a recent nationwide survey conducted by the RPMD Foundation Inc.
The “Boses ng Bayan” survey, conducted April 1 to 8, showed Marcos posting the highest rating among the top four public officials, driven by combined trust and approval scores.
The non-commissioned survey covered 5,000 respondents across socioeconomic classes nationwide, with a margin of error of ±1 percent at a 95-percent confidence level.
Marcos earned a 57-percent Index of Governance (IOG) score, supported by 56-percent trust and 58-percent approval ratings.
RMPD noted that public confidence in the President and his administration remained steady despite recent political developments, including discussions on the possible impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and arrest of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.
Marcos enjoyed a 58-percent support in Balance of Luzon (excluding Metro Manila), which appeared to be his strongest political base.
He also gained ground in Mindanao, a region considered a stronghold of the Dutertes and their allies.
Meantime, respondents in the Visayas “remained politically divided but leaning slightly in favor of the President,” RPMD said.
Duterte registered a 54-percent IOG score, with 57-percent trust and 51-percent approval ratings.
She continued to enjoy the strong backing in Mindanao but posted a lower approval rating compared with other senior officials included in the survey.
Former Senate President Vicente Sotto III obtained a 52-percent IOG score (51-percent trust and 53-percent approval ratings), while House Speaker Faustino Dy III recorded a 55-percent IOG rating (54 percent trust and 56 percent approval ratings), according to the survey.
Meantime, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian topped the list of top-performing Cabinet officials, with an 87-percent IOG score, followed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara (85 percent), Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla (82 percent), and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon (80 percent).
Other top-performing Cabinet members were Executive Secretary Ralph Recto (78 percent), Justice Secretary Eric Vida (76 percent), Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr (75 percent), Trade Secretary Cristina Roque (73 percent), Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Kr. (72 percent), and Special Assistant to the President Secretary Anton Lagdameo (70 percent).
RPMD said the results reflect an evolving political landscape shaped by issues of accountability, governance performance, and institutional stability.
“This is the political mood of Filipinos now,” RPMD executive director and Global Affairs analyst Paul Martinez said.
“The electorate are becoming more politically divided, but also more engaged and more discerning. Regional and class-based preferences are becoming more pronounced, reflecting a more competitive and evolving political environment,” he added.
