36% of Filipinos support Marcos, twice of pro-Duterte backers: survey

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

OCTA Research noted that regionally, pro-Marcos support varied widely, ranging up to 78 percent. (PCO file photo)

MANILA – More adult Filipinos have expressed support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his administration, or twice of the support garnered by the Dutertes and their political alliance, according to the latest survey by OCTA Research.

Based on the Tugon ng Masa (TNM) Pre-Election Survey conducted by OCTA Research from Jan. 25 to 31, around 36 percent of 1,200 respondents identified themselves as “pro-Marcos,” 18 percent considered themselves as “pro-Duterte,” and 8 percent expressed support for the opposition.

OCTA Research named former vice president Leni Robredo, the Liberal Party, and the movements they represent as part of the opposition party.

Twenty-six percent of adult Filipinos tagged themselves as independent, as they do not support the Marcoses, the Dutertes, or the opposition.

Around 12 percent of the respondents were ambivalent about their political preferences.

Pro-Marcos preference

OCTA Research said the percentage of adult Filipinos identified as pro-Marcos has steadily increased since the first quarter TNM survey conducted in March 2024.

Across major areas and socioeconomic classes, notable shifts in pro-Marcos support have been observed.

In Balance Luzon, support significantly rose by four percentage points, rising from 43 percent to 47 percent.

A similar increase was noted among Class ABC respondents, where support grew from 38 percent to 42 percent.

Slight decreases were recorded in Metro Manila (39 percent from 42 percent) and among Class D (36 percent from 38 percent), while significant declines were observed in Duterte’s bailiwick in Mindanao (9 percent from 25 percent) and among Class D (36 percent from 47 percent).

OCTA Research noted that regionally, pro-Marcos support varied widely, ranging up to 78 percent.

“Regions where at least half of adult Filipinos support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. include the Cordillera Administrative Region (50 percent), the Ilocos Region (71 percent), Cagayan Valley (68 percent), Mimaropa (57 percent), Bicol Region (78 percent), Eastern Visayas (51 percent), and Negros Island Region (52 percent),” it said.

“In contrast, support remains notably lower in Metro Manila (39 percent), Central Luzon (35 percent), Calabarzon (32 percent), Western Visayas (34 percent), Central Visayas (19 percent), and most Mindanao regions (ranging from 0 percent to 30 percent), except for the Davao Region,” OCTA Research added.

This survey has a ±3% percent margin of error at a 95% confidence level.

Subnational estimates for the geographic areas covered in the survey have the following margins of error at a 95 percent confidence level: ±6% for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.