TRUSTED LEADERS
THE latest Tugon ng Masa survey conducted by OCTA Research from November 10 to 16, 2024, highlights the enduring trust and satisfaction of Filipinos in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
The two leaders recorded consistently high ratings, underscoring their strong partnership in driving the administration’s legislative agenda and addressing the country’s most pressing challenges.
KEY NUMBERS: TRUST AND PERFORMANCE RATINGS
• President Marcos: The President achieved a 65% trust rating, slightly declining by 4 points from the previous quarter, and a 64% performance satisfaction rating, down by 2 points but still reflective of majority support.
• Speaker Romualdez: The Speaker earned a 58% trust rating, showing a modest 3-point decrease from Q3 2024, and a 59% performance satisfaction rating, maintaining steady support for his leadership of the House of Representatives.
These ratings place both leaders in the majority-trust and majority-satisfaction categories, making them among the highest-rated officials in government.
STRONG PARTNERSHIP AS PILLAR OF SUCCESS
The strong collaboration between President Marcos and Speaker Romualdez has been instrumental in achieving high public trust and satisfaction ratings.
Their partnership is marked by: 1. Alignment on Key Policies: President Marcos’s “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda has been reinforced by Speaker Romualdez’s leadership in passing critical legislative measures. From economic recovery programs to social welfare initiatives, Congress has served as a dependable ally in implementing the President’s priorities; 2. Efficient Legislative Output: Under Romualdez’s leadership, the House has fast-tracked priority bills such as the 2025 General Appropriations Act and economic stimulus measures, which have been key to addressing inflation, promoting investments, and creating jobs; and 3. Unified Leadership: The tandem of Marcos and Romualdez reflects political stability and cohesive governance, which resonates positively with Filipinos. This strong executive-legislative relationship has minimized partisan conflicts and ensured swift action on pressing national issues.
The survey results show that both leaders enjoy robust support across regions and socioeconomic classes:
• President Marcos — Trust is highest in Visayas (74%), followed by Balance Luzon (66%), Mindanao (65%), and Metro Manila (66%) ; Performance satisfaction is similarly strong in Visayas (72%) and Balance Luzon (65%), with Mindanao and Metro Manila registering 65% and 63%, respectively; Across socioeconomic classes, trust ranges from 60% (Class E) to 66% (Classes ABC and D), while performance satisfaction is highest among Classes ABC and D at 65%.
• Speaker Romualdez — Trust is strongest in Mindanao (66%), followed by Balance Luzon (61%), Metro Manila (61%), and Visayas (61%); Performance satisfaction mirrors this trend, peaking in Mindanao (69%), with Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, and Visayas recording 61% each; and Socioeconomic support is robust among Classes ABC and D, both at 62% trust, while Class E recorded 54%.
The ratings of President Marcos and Speaker Romualdez surpass those of Vice President Sara Duterte, whose trust and performance satisfaction ratings fell to 49% and 48%, respectively, highlighting the effectiveness of the executive-legislative partnership as a key factor in public confidence.
Political analysts attribute the high ratings of Marcos and Romualdez to their shared commitment to addressing key national issues
The high trust and performance ratings of President Marcos and Speaker Romualdez demonstrate the public’s approval of their leadership and collaboration. As the administration continues its term, their partnership will remain crucial in advancing legislative priorities and addressing the evolving needs of Filipinos.
President Marcos Jr.’s 65% trust and 64% satisfaction ratings, alongside Speaker Romualdez’s 58% trust and 59% satisfaction ratings, reflect a strong and effective executive-legislative relationship.
This partnership has been pivotal in ensuring the success of the administration’s agenda and fostering public confidence in governance.
The Tugon ng Masa survey, conducted with 1,200 respondents nationwide and a ±3% margin of error, underscores the enduring appeal of cohesive leadership in navigating the nation’s challenges.
