Recent survey data from PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. paints a dire picture for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., whose trust rating has plummeted to an alarming 14%, down from 23% in the previous quarter. Equally striking is the surge in his distrust rating, now standing at 63%, signaling the lowest level of public confidence since he assumed office. This drastic decline is a clear reflection of growing dissatisfaction with his leadership, marked by economic stagnation, policy failures, and internal political discord.
Conversely, Vice President Sara Duterte has managed to strengthen her public perception, with her trust rating climbing from 31% to 39%, while her distrust rating remains at 39%. Notably, she is the only national leader whose ratings have improved in the first quarter of 2025. Her growing support suggests that Filipinos see in her a leader with a firmer grasp on governance and political strategy compared to Marcos Jr.'s floundering administration.
A Political Landscape in Flux
The broader political landscape is experiencing a seismic shift, as anti-administration sentiment has grown from 30% in Q4 2024 to 45% in Q1 2025. Simultaneously, support for the Marcos administration has cratered, plunging from 28% to a mere 15%. This collapse suggests a deepening crisis of legitimacy, with public dissatisfaction now extending beyond the president to his entire administration.
Survey findings further underscore this declining confidence:
45% of Filipinos now believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, a sharp increase from 32% in the previous quarter.
Only 29% still view the country’s trajectory positively, down from 42%.
Economic optimism is waning, with only 32% of respondents expecting improvement, compared to 48% last quarter.
Marcos Jr.’s Leadership: A Study in Failure
The precipitous decline in Marcos Jr.’s approval ratings is no accident. It is the direct result of his administration’s failure to address pressing national concerns. Despite inheriting a fragile economy, his government has shown little initiative in implementing meaningful reforms. Instead, it has prioritized political survival over governance, resulting in an inefficient bureaucracy, worsening inflation, and a widening gap between the rich and the poor.
Marcos Jr.’s leadership has also been characterized by indecisiveness and an inability to consolidate political power. His administration has been riddled with infighting, policy inconsistencies, and an apparent lack of vision. The ongoing rift between his camp and Duterte loyalists further highlights his weakness as a political leader. In stark contrast to his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, whose ironclad grip on power commanded both fear and respect, Marcos Jr. appears directionless, relying on the remnants of his family’s name rather than substantive governance.
The Fallout from Political Infighting
One of the key factors driving this shift in public sentiment is the political rift between Marcos Jr. and Duterte allies. The arrest of a high-profile Duterte associate in Mindanao has further fueled regional discontent, exacerbating tensions between the two factions. Mindanao, once a stronghold of the administration, is now witnessing a sharp rise in disaffection, mirroring the broader national trend of disillusionment with the government’s performance.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte’s rising trust ratings place her at the center of this evolving political realignment. Unlike Marcos Jr., Duterte has demonstrated resilience and political acumen, maintaining her base while capitalizing on the administration’s failures. Her firm stance on governance, coupled with her decisive leadership style, has made her a viable alternative to the increasingly unpopular president. The fact that she has managed to sustain public trust amid political turmoil is indicative of her growing influence and potential to redefine the national leadership landscape.
The Marcos Presidency on the Brink of Collapse
The numbers do not lie: the Marcos Jr. administration is in free fall. With trust in his leadership eroding and public discontent mounting, his presidency risks becoming a lame-duck government far sooner than expected. If these trends continue, his ability to govern effectively will be severely compromised, further exacerbating the country’s economic and political instability.
In contrast, Vice President Sara Duterte’s rising political stock suggests that the electorate is looking for an alternative—someone who can provide stability and decisive leadership where Marcos Jr. has failed. If Marcos Jr. does not course-correct soon, he may find himself increasingly sidelined as Duterte and her allies take center stage in shaping the country’s political future.
The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Marcos Jr. can regain the public’s trust or whether the country is witnessing the early stages of a political unraveling. But if his current trajectory is any indication, history may remember his presidency not as a period of national renewal, but as a cautionary tale of wasted potential and political mismanagement.
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