Vice President Sara Duterte holds a substantial lead over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in public approval and trust, according to the September 2026 Pulse Asia survey, revealing a widening contrast in how Filipinos assess the country’s two highest-ranking officials.
Duterte recorded a 54% approval rating and 55% trust rating, compared with Marcos’ 30% approval and 29% trust. The results place the Vice President 24 percentage points ahead in approval and 26 points ahead in trust, giving her a clear advantage in both measures of public confidence.
The survey also showed that Duterte maintained majority trust across most demographic groups, suggesting that her public support extends beyond a single segment of the population. Marcos, meanwhile, faced considerable dissatisfaction, with nearly half of respondents expressing disapproval of his performance or distrust in his leadership.
Regional figures underscored the challenge facing the President. Distrust in Marcos reached 66% in Mindanao and 60% in the Visayas, indicating particularly strong negative sentiment in two major regions. The figures add pressure on an administration already facing public concerns over the cost of living, governance, and economic conditions.
For Duterte, the results provide a significant political advantage as attention increasingly turns toward the 2028 presidential elections. Despite the controversies and legal challenges surrounding her, the Vice President continues to command higher approval and trust than the sitting President. The survey does not predict an election outcome, but it offers a clear picture of their current political standing: Duterte retains majority public confidence, while Marcos faces a steeper challenge in rebuilding trust.