The trust ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte have seen notable declines, as revealed by the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by the Stratbase group. The poll, conducted from Dec. 12 to 18 with 2,160 respondents, highlighted a downward trend in public trust for both officials throughout 2024.
President Marcos’ trust rating dropped from 64% in July to 54% in December, while the percentage of respondents expressing little trust in him remained at 25% since September, up from 21% in July. The undecided category also grew, reaching 19% in December from 14% in July.
Vice President Duterte experienced a similar decline, with her trust rating falling from 65% in July to 52% in December. Distrust in Duterte rose from 21% in July to 29% in December, amid controversies, including allegations of unexplained spending of confidential funds. She is currently facing three impeachment complaints at the House of Representatives.
Stratbase president Dindo Manhit attributed the declining trust to public dissatisfaction with the government’s response to economic concerns like inflation and job creation. “The administration must focus on delivering clear and impactful solutions that resonate with the daily lives of Filipinos,” Manhit said, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency, especially in Duterte’s case.
