Congress satisfaction reaches lowest – SWS

MANILA, Philippines — Months before the May midterm elections, public satisfaction with the Senate and House of Representatives has dropped to its lowest since the start of the Marcos administration, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed.

While Congress obtained the approval of most respondents, the Dec. 12 to 18 survey showed a decline in the number of Filipinos satisfied with the performance of both chambers.

From 66 percent in September last year, satisfaction with the Senate dropped to 62 percent in December.

Dissatisfied respondents slightly increased to 18 percent from 17 percent, while those undecided increased to 17 percent from 15 percent.

Meanwhile, the House obtained a satisfaction rating of 54 percent, down from 60 percent in the previous survey.

Those dissatisfied remained at 18 percent, while the undecided increased to 22 percent from 19 percent.

The Senate had a net satisfaction rating of +44, down from +49, while the House had a net satisfaction rating of +36, down from +42.

Net satisfaction ratings between +30 and +49 are classified as “good.”

Based on survey data, it was Congress’ lowest net satisfaction rating in the present administration.

In October 2022 – the first survey conducted under Marcos – the Senate obtained a net satisfaction rating of “very good” +64.

It rose to +68 in December 2022, before starting its downward trend in succeeding polls.

Meanwhile, the House obtained a “very good” +56 in October and December 2022, its highest in the present administration.

House ratings plunged in the following surveys.

As for the Supreme Court, public satisfaction also declined.

From 61 percent in September 2024, respondents satisfied with the high court went down to 58 percent in December 2024.

Those dissatisfied declined to 18 percent from 19 percent, while the undecided increased to 20 percent from 18 percent.

The resulting net satisfaction rating of +40 was down two points from +42 in September 2024. It was also the lowest net satisfaction rating for the high court under Marcos, the survey showed.

The SWS fourth quarter survey had 2,160 respondents and a margin of error of two percent.