Marcos Trust Ratings Recover To 36%, VP At 56% – SWS

The trust ratings of President Marcos slightly recovered in the third quarter of the year, although it remained lower than that of Vice President Sara Duterte, based on a recent survey conducted by Social Weather Stations.

Results of the Sept. 21 to 27 survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group found that 36 percent of the respondents had “much trust” in the President.

It went up from the 34 percent he obtained in a similar survey in June.

Those who had “little trust” in Marcos decreased from 45 percent to 40 percent, while undecided respondents increased from 19 percent to 22 percent.

Although trust in Marcos remained highest among respondents in his bailiwick balance Luzon (40 percent, down from 43 percent), the results showed that he obtained significant improvements among those in Mindanao (35 percent, from 17 percent).

It was stable among respondents in the Visayas (33 percent, no change) and Metro Manila (31 percent, from 33 percent).

“Filipinos’ eyes are on President Marcos and how he deals with the issues that directly affect their lives: from the rising costs of living, the aftermath of high-profile arrests from the flood control scandal and Duterte’s ongoing impeachment trial,” Stratbase president Victor Andres Manhit said.

Meanwhile, 56 percent of the respondents said they had “much trust” in Duterte, almost similar to the 57 percent she obtained in June.

Those who had “little trust” in her also hardly changed from 27 percent to 26 percent, while undecided respondents increased from 15 percent to 17 percent.

“The latest hearings in the impeachment trial have made fresh revelations about her and her husband’s alleged business dealings, including those supposedly related to Chinese state-linked entities,” Manhit said.

“How she addresses these allegations and explains the financial records presented in the proceedings will also be closely watched by the public,” he added.

VP on corruption

Amid allegations of ill-gotten wealth against her and family members, Duterte said corruption continues to erode the institutions, drain resources from essential public services and diminish opportunities for national growth and development.

“It is a progressive disorder that has embodied itself deep within the DNA of government – and tragically, it is the Filipino people who are left to suffer the consequences,” Duterte said in her speech during the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 52nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo at Manila Hotel.

She said the rising cost of living continues to put enormous pressure on Filipino families.

“The cost of food, electricity, transportation, housing and other basic necessities continues to consume an ever-larger share of the family budget, leaving many with little room to save, in-vest or prepare for emergencies. Poverty persists. Decent jobs remain insufficient. And economic opportunities remain beyond the reach of too many Filipinos,” Duterte added.

She maintained that economic growth means little if it exists only in statistics, but cannot be felt in the lives of ordinary people.

“The same challenges confront our education and health care systems. Our children deserve classrooms safe and capable and supported teachers, and an education that prepares them for lifelong learning. And no Filipino should be denied reliable health care simply because they cannot afford it,” she said.

According to Duterte, government inefficiency remains a daily burden of Filipino families.

“And lest we forget, our country continues to struggle with inadequate infrastructure, chronic flooding, traffic congestion and unnecessary bureaucracy. Our communities remain vulnera-ble when disasters strike. These are not merely inconveniences. They take away time, productivity, opportunity and ultimately, quality of life from our people,” she added.

Duterte pushed for order, integrity and efficiency.

“Government decisions are made through institutionalized processes rather than personal connections or patronage. Policies should be predictable. Businesses and individuals can plan for the future without fearing arbitrary government decisions. Public service quality should be exceptional. Health care, education, infrastructure and social protection should function effectively, not ayuda, not guarantee letters from politicians,” she said.

Duterte said the rule of law should be uniformly enforced to ordinary citizens, politicians and powerful businesses.

“Genuine accountability is rigorously applied to all and not merely to selected sham cases for political spectacle and personal gain. Leaders can be investigated, challenged and held responsible for abuse or misconduct,” she said.

On the other hand, Duterte said whether or not she becomes the next president remains to be seen.

“We don’t know. And perhaps my purpose has al-ways been bigger than the position itself. So, what is my purpose in all this political chaos? To set the bar high for empowerment. Maybe the one reason I was placed right in the middle of this road to perdition our country is struggling on is to do exactly that,” she said.

Duterte said she refuses to let political pressure weaken her.

“You are living witnesses to how I have taken every strike, endured every hit and weathered every storm. And yet here I am – still standing, unbowed. Not because I am indestructible. Not because I am invincible. But because I refuse to let adversity de-fine me. I refuse to let intimidation silence me. And I refuse to let political pressure weaken me. To not stand tall and unbowed is never an option for me,” Duterte said. – With Bella Cariaso