Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has clawed back some public goodwill after hitting his lowest satisfaction rating in March, though the numbers show he still has plenty of ground to win over — especially in Mindanao and Metro Manila.
According to a news report the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, conducted from June 20 to 29, gave Marcos a net satisfaction score of -7. That’s an eight-point jump from -15 in March, and SWS now classifies the rating as “neutral.” Still, more Filipinos remain unhappy than satisfied with how he’s leading the country.
Where the Numbers Stand
The nationwide poll of 1,200 adults broke down public sentiment this way:
- 38% said they were satisfied with the president’s performance
- 45% said they were dissatisfied
- 17% were undecided
The margin of error was ±3 percentage points for national results. Compared to March — when only 33% expressed satisfaction and 49% were dissatisfied — the June figures point to a modest but real recovery.
A Divided Map
Marcos improved in every major region, but the gains looked very different depending on where you live.
- Balance Luzon gave him his best score at +11, up from +2 in March
- Visayas climbed to -3 from a rough -15
- Metro Manila rose to -24, still deeply negative
- Mindanao stayed his weakest region at -35, though up from -40
For OFWs with families back home, these regional splits matter. The two areas dragging his numbers down — Metro Manila and Mindanao — are also among the most populous and economically active parts of the country.
Younger and Older Filipinos Split
Age told an interesting story. Filipinos aged 25 to 44 delivered the president’s biggest gains, with some brackets improving by as much as 19 points.
But the youngest voters moved the other way. Satisfaction among those aged 18 to 24 slipped to -27, a sign that younger Filipinos are growing more critical of the administration.
Who Does He Really Serve?
The survey also asked a pointed question about whose interests Marcos protects. The answers reveal a lingering trust gap:
- 43% believe he serves the rich
- 35% feel he serves the poor
- 25% say he looks after the middle class
The message for Malacañang is clear. The rebound is welcome, but rebuilding trust across regions and generations remains the harder job ahead.