A year-on-year comparison tells a sharply different story from the quarter-to-quarter stability suggested by the latest Pulse Asia survey — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has recovered significant ground since the same period last year, while Vice President Sara Duterte’s numbers have softened.
Marcos’ approval rating climbed to 36 percent in the poll conducted between February 27 and March 2, up from a low of 25 percent recorded in March 2025. His trust rating similarly rose from 25 percent to 35 percent over the same 12-month period. Disapproval of the President’s performance currently stands at 45 percent, down from 48 percent in the December 2025 survey.
The Vice President retains a commanding lead. Duterte’s approval rating held at 55 percent, down slightly from 59 percent a year ago, while her trust rating now sits at 54 percent compared to 61 percent in March 2025. More notable is the movement on the negative end — her disapproval and distrust ratings each increased by 10 percentage points year-on-year, rising from 16 percent to 27 percent and 16 percent to 26 percent, respectively.
The March 2025 survey was conducted just weeks after former president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and transferred to the International Criminal Court — a development that analysts have cited as context for Marcos’ low numbers at that time.
Duterte, in a One News PH report, declined to analyze the survey results. “I could not comment on the survey because I do not know how it was done, who commissioned the survey,” she said. She added that regardless of poll findings, her gratitude to the public remained constant. “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,” Duterte said. She has previously announced her intention to seek the presidency in 2028.
The Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan survey covered 1,200 respondents nationwide and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percent.
Palace dismisses coup talk as Marcos works in Cebu
Malacañang pushed back Monday against social media speculation linking increased security around the Palace to alleged efforts to destabilize the Marcos administration.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro attributed the heavier police deployment to a scheduled operational readiness exercise, saying it was routine and unconnected to the circulating rumors. She pointed to the President’s travel schedule as evidence the administration was not on alert. “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 spent Monday in Cebu overseeing the turnover of modular learning facilities and inspecting venues in preparation for the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit later this year. Castro also challenged the credibility of posts alleging the existence of so-called coup plotters and a “third force.” “With action, not imagination our country will progress. Please avoid making up nonsense stories,” she said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines separately dismissed the online claims, issuing a statement early Monday refuting the existence of any organized destabilization group.
