Pinoys discerning enough to know if their leaders are working or not

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (right) and Vice President Sara Duterte (PNA photo)

MANILA – Filipinos can tell if a government leader is working or not, Malacañang said on Tuesday, after the latest results of a Pulse Asia survey showed a significant improvement in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s trust and approval scores.

This comes after Pulse Asia, in its Ulat ng Bayan Survey conducted from Feb. 27 to March 2, found that overall public approval and trust toward Marcos rose in the first quarter of 2026.

Based on the poll results, Marcos’ overall approval and trust ratings went up to 36 percent and 35 percent, respectively – higher by 11-percentage points and 10-percentage points from 25 percent in March 2025.

The President’s latest approval and trust scores hardly changed from 34 percent and 32 percent, respectively, in December 2025.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s approval and trust ratings dropped, but remained higher than Marcos.

In a statement, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro brushed aside Duterte’s higher scores compared to Marcos.

“Anuman ang numero, tuloy ang trabaho. Alam natin lahat kung ano ba ang totoo at kung sino ang totoong nagseserbisyo (Regardless of the number, the work continues. We all know what the truth is and who is truly serving the public),” she said.

Castro maintained that Marcos will not be swayed by survey results, stressing that the Chief Executive is focused on improving the Filipino people’s lives.

“Si Pangulong Marcos, Jr. ay mananatiling nakikinig sa daing at pangangailangan ng ating kababayan. Ibukas na lang natin ang ating mga mata at tenga sa mga tunay na programa ng gobyerno (President Marcos Jr. continues to listen to the grievances and attend to the needs of our countrymen. Let us just open our eyes and ears to the real programs of the government),” she said.