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HIGH TRUST RATING

January 15, 2025 People's Journal 42 views

IN the recently released Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey conducted by OCTA Research from November 10 to 16, 2024, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez emerged as one of the most trusted and well-performing government officials in the country.

With a 58% trust rating and a 59% performance satisfaction rating, Romualdez solidifies his leadership and contrasts sharply with the declining ratings of Vice President Sara Duterte, whose numbers dropped significantly in the same period.

Speaker Romualdez maintained his majority-level trust and performance ratings, demonstrating public confidence in his leadership of the House of Representatives.

His 58% trust rating reflects only a modest 3-point decline from the previous quarter, while his 59% satisfaction rating withstood a similar 3-point dip.

These ratings underscore Romualdez’s steady support among Filipinos, particularly in advancing legislative measures aimed at economic recovery and social welfare.

Romualdez continues to lead across regions and socioeconomic classes with trust rating highest in Mindanao (66%) and balance Luzon (61%), while Metro Manila and Visayas follow at 61% each. Among socioeconomic groups, Classes ABC and D showed strong trust at 62%, while Class E recorded 54%.

His performance rating peaks in Mindanao (69%), followed by Metro Manila and Visayas (both 61%). Class ABC showed the highest satisfaction at 64%, compared to 52% in Class E.

In stark contrast, Vice President Sara Duterte saw her trust and performance ratings drop to new lows with trust rating only 49%, a steep 10-point decline from her 59% rating in Q3 2024.

This marks the first time her trust ratings have fallen below the majority threshold.

Her performance rating satisfaction rating dropped to 48%, down from 52% in the previous quarter.

This 4-point decline highlights growing public dissatisfaction with her performance as Vice President.

Duterte’s decline was particularly pronounced in Metro Manila, where her trust rating plummeted by 17 points to just 30%. Similarly, her performance satisfaction in the National Capital Region fell by 12 points to a mere 26%. These figures contrast sharply with Speaker Romualdez’s strong and consistent performance in the same region.

The comparison between Romualdez and Duterte highlights a divergence in public perception. While Romualdez has steadily maintained his numbers across regions and socioeconomic groups, Duterte has faced significant erosion in key areas:

• In Mindanao, traditionally a stronghold for Duterte, her trust rating declined by 5 points to 90%, while Romualdez achieved a solid 66%.

• Among socioeconomic Classes ABC and D, Romualdez holds 62% trust, compared to Duterte’s 47% in Class D and 45% in Class ABC.

Political analysts attribute Romualdez’s sustained ratings to his focus on delivering tangible results, such as the passage of critical economic measures and his inclusive leadership style. His ability to work collaboratively with both the executive branch and various political factions has earned him a reputation for stability and efficiency.

In contrast, Duterte’s declining numbers reflect growing public concern over her role in controversies involving the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), which she heads. These issues have likely contributed to a significant dip in her credibility and public trust.

The survey results underscore Speaker Romualdez’s position as a trusted figure in Philippine politics, with his ratings consistently reflecting strong support for his leadership. Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte faces increasing challenges in reversing her downward trend amid growing public scrutiny.

The TNM survey, conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents nationwide, has a ±3% margin of error.

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