Satisfaction with Marcos Jr. , Sara at lowest since 2022 win

MANILA, Philippines — Public satisfaction with both President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte has dropped to its lowest since their tandem won by a landslide in the 2022 elections, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

While both officials still received positive feedback from the majority of the respondents, their net satisfaction ratings – based on the difference between those who were satisfied and those dissatisfied with their performance – have significantly dropped in the survey conducted from Dec. 12 to 18 last year.

Marcos, for instance, sustained a 13-point drop in his net satisfaction rating.

From a “good” +32 (58 percent satisfied, 26 percent dissatisfied and 15 percent undecided) in September 2024, it went down to a “moderate” +19 (51 percent satisfied, 32 percent dissatisfied and 16 percent undecided) last December.

It was his lowest net satisfaction rating since the start of his term in 2022, survey data showed.

SWS classifies net satisfaction ratings of at least +70 as “excellent;” +50 to +69 as “very good;” +30 to +49 as “good;” +10 to +29 as “moderate;” +9 to -9 as “neutral;” -10 to -29 as “poor;” -30 to -49 as “bad;” -50 to -69 as “very bad” and -70 and below as “execrable.”

The President’s net satisfaction rating dropped across all areas, particularly in Duterte’s bailiwick in Mindanao.

It remained the highest among respondents in balance Luzon at +38 (from +39), followed by those in Metro Manila at +20 (from +36), the Visayas at +18 (from 31) and Mindanao at -18 (from +16).

Meanwhile, Duterte, who formally parted ways with the Marcos administration, continued to see her ratings suffer in the latest survey.

From a “moderate” +27 (57 percent satisfied, 30 percent dissatisfied and 13 percent undecided) in September 2024, it is now down to a “moderate” +21 (52 percent satisfied, 31 percent dissatisfied and 16 percent undecided).

In October 2022, the first survey conducted during their term, Duterte had a net satisfaction rating of “excellent” +73, even higher than Marcos’ “very good” +63.

Her ratings in the succeeding polls went down, particularly last year when she faced controversies over the use of confidential funds.

Across areas, Duterte’s net satisfaction ratings remain the highest in her bailiwick Mindanao at +67 (from +71), followed by those in the Visayas at +32 (from +32), balance Luzon at + 1 (from +11) and Metro Manila at -3 (from +15).

The survey reflected similar polls conducted by Pulse Asia and the OCTA Research group.

The SWS Fourth Quarter Survey had 2,160 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus two percent.