Duterte Outpaces Marcos in Trust Ratings as Palace Insists President 'Listens to the Public'
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte continues to hold higher trust and performance ratings than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the latest Pulse Asia survey, underscoring a persistent popularity gap within the country's top two leadership posts even as the Palace maintains that the President remains attuned to public sentiment.
The Numbers Behind the Gap
The survey results, released Thursday, show Duterte maintaining her edge over Marcos in both trust and approval metrics — a pattern that has held steady across multiple polling cycles. The Palace responded by emphasizing that Marcos "listens to the public," framing the numbers as part of a normal democratic feedback loop rather than a political setback.
The findings arrive amid heightened scrutiny of the Vice President's office, particularly regarding her security arrangements.
Security Detail Controversy Adds Fuel
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that even after the recall of 75 members of her security detail, Duterte still retains 320 security personnel — a contingent larger than the President's own protective force.
- The recall of 75 personnel was ordered amid a broader review of security allocations
- Despite the reduction, Duterte's detail reportedly exceeds Marcos' contingent
- The disparity has raised questions about protocol and resource distribution
The security issue has become a flashpoint in the broader political dynamic between the two offices, which ran together on a unity ticket in 2022 but have since shown signs of strain.
Why the Ratings Matter
Trust ratings in Philippine politics are more than popularity contests — they are political capital. A Vice President who consistently outranks the President in public esteem:
- Complicates the administration's messaging and legislative agenda
- Fuels speculation about the 2028 presidential race
- Creates pressure points within the ruling coalition
- Can embolden opposition figures who align with the VP
Analysts note that the Philippines has a history of vice presidents operating with independent political bases — from Jejomar Binay to Leni Robredo — and that rating gaps do not automatically translate into governance friction. However, the current gap carries added weight given the Duterte family's outsized influence in national politics.
Palace Response: 'Listening' as Strategy
The Palace's insistence that Marcos "listens to the public" signals an effort to absorb the polling data without appearing defensive. It is a standard incumbent response: acknowledge the numbers, avoid confrontation, and pivot to governance deliverables.
But the message may be harder to sustain if the gap widens. Trust ratings often reflect not just job performance but also perceived authenticity and connection with ordinary Filipinos — areas where the Duterte brand has historically performed well.
The Road Ahead
Several factors will shape whether this gap narrows or expands:
- Policy wins — Tangible economic or social reforms could lift Marcos' numbers
- Security dispute resolution — How the bodyguard controversy is handled may affect perceptions of both offices
- 2025 midterms — Electoral outcomes will test the strength of each camp's political machinery
- Public fatigue — Prolonged infighting between allied camps risks eroding trust in both
For now, the survey reinforces a simple reality: in Philippine politics, the Vice President remains a force with her own gravitational pull — and the President's team knows it.
The next Pulse Asia release will be closely watched for signs of whether this gap is a durable trend or a temporary anomaly.
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