Public perception of the country’s two highest officials breaks along sharply different fault lines, according to a Pulse Asia survey covering February to March 2026.
For Vice President Sara Duterte, distrust centers heavily on the unresolved controversy over confidential funds — both those allocated to her office and to the Department of Education during her time as its secretary. Respondents also pointed to alleged threats directed at the administration, use of inappropriate language, a perceived lack of accomplishments, and her frequent travel abroad as reasons they do not trust her.
Those who expressed confidence in the Vice President cited her perceived leadership ability and helpfulness to others.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. draws his strongest trust marks from voters who believe he is making genuine efforts to fight corruption — the top reason cited by survey respondents for their confidence in him.
Distrust in the president, by contrast, is driven primarily by his perceived failure to bring down inflation. The country’s inflation rate climbed to 2.4% in February, and economists have raised concerns that the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran could push prices higher in the coming months. Beyond inflation, respondents also faulted Marcos for an inability to curb corruption, unfulfilled campaign promises, poor performance of official duties, failure to stabilize the prices of basic goods, and insufficient action against criminality.
Public opinion on Duterte remains split, with trust and distrust figures reflecting the weight of the confidential funds issue that has trailed her since her departure from DepEd.Marcos trusted for fighting graft but blamed for rising prices, Duterte faces heat over confidential funds — Pulse Asia
