President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recorded a dramatic 10-point rise in his trust rating, according to a joint survey conducted by Social Weather Stations and Stratbase ADR Institute from June 25 to 29, 2025.
Released just days after a political firestorm involving the First Lady’s alleged connection to the death of Paolo Tantoco, the results raised eyebrows across political circles. While allies quickly celebrated the climb as a show of renewed public confidence, critics questioned whether the survey timing was designed to shape the narrative.
Stratbase President Dindo Manhit said the sudden boost in numbers signals a possible shift in public confidence toward the Marcos administration. He noted that the increase may reflect the government’s recent economic messaging and the President’s visibility in major infrastructure initiatives.
Steady numbers for Duterte, boost for Escudero and Romualdez
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte’s trust rating remained mostly unchanged during the same period. Senate President Chiz Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez both saw modest increases, according to the same report.
Romualdez’s rise, though less dramatic, comes amid speculation he may be positioning himself for a more prominent national role. Escudero, on the other hand, has kept a relatively low public profile but continues to benefit from stable public support.
Skepticism grows as trust rating rebounds during crisis
The 10-point leap has not gone unchallenged. Political observers pointed out the survey’s close proximity to the escalating controversy over the death of Tantoco in Los Angeles and Senator Imee Marcos’ public demand for Malacañang to release the First Lady’s official travel records.
Some opposition figures and independent analysts suggested that the sudden trust rebound may reflect selective sampling or an attempt to control public opinion amid damaging news cycles.
One analyst said that when a trust bump this large comes during a politically sensitive moment, it’s fair to ask who benefits most from the optics.
Others believe the result may reflect effective public relations rather than a shift in real sentiment. In recent weeks, President Marcos has made appearances in major provinces, presided over ribbon cuttings, and delivered several policy speeches, including one targeting agricultural reform.
Public opinion or public relations?
SWS has yet to release its full methodology and breakdown by region, class, and age group. However, the preliminary data already fueled fierce debate online, with hashtags like #SurveyManipulation and #TrustBongbong trending simultaneously across social media platforms.
As critics call for more transparency in survey operations and demand the raw data, one question now lingers across coffee shops and conference halls—who truly trusts the numbers?
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.