Marcos ratings slightly up, VP still higher – Pulse

MANILA, Philippines — The approval and trust ratings of President Marcos have slightly improved in the last quarter even as his numbers continue to trail Vice President Sara Duterte’s, according to the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia.

Pulse Asia’s first quarter survey conducted from Feb. 27 to March 2 showed that the President’s approval rating improved by two points from 34 percent in December 2025 to 36 percent in March.

Those who disapproved of his performance dropped from 48 percent to 45 percent, while undecided respondents remained at 18 percent.

Marcos’ trust ratings also improved, from 32 percent to 35 percent, while those who distrusted him decreased from 47 percent to 44 percent. The remaining 21 percent were undecided, similar to the previous poll.

Like in previous polls, Duterte – who has announced her intention to run for president in 2028 – continued to enjoy the approval and trust of the majority of the respondents.

Some 55 percent said they approved of her performance, almost identical to the 56 percent she obtained in the similar Pulse Asia survey in December.

Her disapproval ratings slightly increased, from 24 percent to 27 percent, while undecided respondents dropped from 20 percent to 18 percent.

Duterte’s trust rating stayed at 54 percent, although those who distrusted her increased from 24 percent to 26 percent. The change came from those who were undecided, which dropped from 22 percent to 20 percent.

Year-on-year change

Although the ratings of the two officials over the past two quarters hardly changed, a year-on-year comparison paints a different picture.

Compared to survey results in March 2025, Marcos’ approval and trust ratings have significantly recovered, compared to Duterte, who saw a decline in her numbers.

Approval of the President’s performance increased by 11 points, from 25 percent in March 2025 to 36 percent in March 2026, while his trust ratings increased from 25 percent to 35 percent.

Duterte’s approval ratings, meanwhile, dropped from 59 percent to 55 percent, while her trust ratings dropped from 61 percent to 54 percent.

The significant change for the Vice President was her disapproval and distrust ratings, which both increased by 10 points, from 16 percent to 27 percent and from 16 percent to 26 percent, respectively.

Marcos’ ratings plunged in March 2025 as the survey was conducted weeks after the arrest and turnover to the International Criminal Court of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Pulse Asia’s Ulat ng Bayan survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8 percent.

Meanwhile in an ambush interview in Digos City yesterday, Duterte expressed her gratitude to the people for their continued support and trust in her.

“I have always been grateful to our fellow Filipinos for their continued support and trust in me, and my colleagues at the Office of the Vice President,” she said.

“I could not comment on the survey because I do not know how it was done, who commissioned the survey,” she added.

But she also said that whether or not there is a survey, she remains grateful to the people.

Coup rumors

Malacañang yesterday dismissed fresh rumors of a coup against President Marcos, saying the Chief Executive was not distracted by such unfounded talk.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the statement following social media posts linking the tightened security around Malacañang Palace to groups allegedly starting moves to overthrow the government.

“If there is such talk of a coup, the President will not leave for Cebu and will just monitor in Malacañang. President Marcos Jr. worked all day and attended to many things in Cebu,” Castro said.

Marcos led a series of events in Cebu yesterday, including the turnover of modular learning facilities and inspection of venues for the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit this year.

“With action, not imagination our country will progress. Please avoid making up nonsense stories,” Castro said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines also dismissed the circulating social media posts claiming the existence of alleged “coup plotters” and a so-called third force. — Evelyn Macairan, Helen Flores