Marcos, VP Sara trust, performance ratings fall below 50% in Q2 2026 — survey

MANILA, Philippines — The trust and performance ratings of both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte declined in the second quarter of 2026, according to a recent survey by private polling firm OCTA Research.

Marcos’s trust rating fell by 5 percentage points, from 54% in March to 49% in July, while his performance rating dropped by 8 points, from 55% to 47%.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s trust rating declined by 8 points, from 55% in March to 47% in July, while her performance rating plunged by 5 points, from 50% to 45%.

OCTA interviewed 1,200 Filipino adults nationwide from July 4 to 11 for the survey, which has a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.

The survey results were released on Monday, July 27, hours ahead of Marcos' fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

President’s performance rating declines

A larger decline was observed in public satisfaction with the president’s performance.

Satisfaction reached majority levels only in Balance Luzon at 60%. Below the majority level were the National Capital Region at 43%, Visayas at 45% and Mindanao at only 26%.

Overall, 33% of Filipinos expressed dissatisfaction with Marcos’ performance, reflecting a 7-percentage-point increase nationwide. The highest dissatisfaction rate was recorded in Mindanao, the Dutertes' bailiwick, at 48%. This was followed by the National Capital Region and Visayas, which both recorded 32% dissatisfaction and Balance Luzon at 26%.

Across socioeconomic classes, the largest decline of 11 points was recorded among individuals in Class D, or the lower-middle-income segment, from 56% in March to 45% in July. A decline of 3 points was also recorded in Class ABC, or the combined upper- and upper-middle-income group, from 56% to 53%.

Meanwhile, satisfaction slightly increased by 4 points in Class E, or the lowest-income group, from 48% to 52%.

OCTA said the decline in the president’s performance and trust ratings could be attributed to public perceptions that the administration has failed to protect the local economy from the impacts of the Middle East conflict, has been slow to demand accountability from personalities involved in the flood control corruption scandal, and has failed to secure a “safety net” to cushion the impact of inflation and rising petroleum prices on lower- and middle-income households.

VP Sara’s trust rating hits all-time low

Duterte’s trust and performance ratings were the lowest this quarter, but a larger decline was observed in her trust rating.

Nationally, 33% of respondents expressed distrust in the vice president, reflecting a 7-point increase from 26% in March to 33% in July. The highest distrust rate was recorded in the National Capital Region at 47%, followed by Balance Luzon at 44%, Visayas at 28% and Mindanao at only 4%.

Across socioeconomic classes, the highest distrust rate was recorded in Class ABC at 42%, followed by Class D at 33% and Class E at 24%.

OCTA noted that the vice president’s performance rating fell below the majority level for the first time since November 2024.

“The most direct explanation for this record decline is the impeachment trial itself,” OCTA said.

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