President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. posted gains in both trust and performance ratings in the first quarter of 2026, while Vice President Sara Duterte maintained majority trust but saw a decline in performance, according to a new survey by OCTA Research.
The survey, conducted among 1,200 respondents, showed Marcos’ trust rating rising by six percentage points to 54 percent. About 30 percent expressed distrust, while 16 percent were undecided.
His performance rating also improved by four percentage points to 55 percent, with 26 percent dissatisfied and 19 percent undecided. OCTA said the results reflect stronger public confidence and a more favorable assessment of the President’s performance compared to the previous quarter.
Duterte, meanwhile, registered a 55-percent trust rating, up two percentage points but statistically unchanged from her previous score. Around 26 percent expressed distrust, while 19 percent remained undecided.
However, her performance rating declined by four percentage points to 50 percent. Some 28 percent said they were dissatisfied, while 22 percent were undecided.
OCTA noted that while public trust in the Vice President remains stable, there is a softening in how her performance is being evaluated.
The pollster also pointed to a growing divergence in public perception, with views on Marcos becoming more defined and positive, while opinions on Duterte appear more mixed.
The survey was conducted from March 19 to 25, 2026 through face-to-face interviews, with a ±3 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level.
