Metro Manila, Philippines – Public approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remained in negative in the final quarter of 2025 despite a slight rebound, according to a non-commissioned nationwide survey released Tuesday, Feb. 3.
The November 24–30 Social Weather Survey (SWS) found that 40 percent of adult Filipinos were satisfied with his performance, 43 percent dissatisfied, while 17 percent were undecided – for a net satisfaction rating of minus 3, translating to a statistically neutral score.
SWS said the figure marked a modest improvement from a net rating of minus 5 in September but followed by what it described as “a steep decline from moderate +10 in June 2025.”
Regional results showed sharply mixed sentiment. Marcos posted his highest net satisfaction rating in Balance Luzon at a moderate +13, followed by the Visayas at +2. Ratings were negative in Metro Manila at minus 17 and lowest in Mindanao at minus 29.
“Compared with September 2025, net satisfaction rose by 10 points in the Visayas and by five points in Balance Luzon,” SWS said. However, the survey noted that the rating “fell by 15 points in Metro Manila,” while Mindanao showed little change.
A similar divide appeared between rural and urban areas. SWS reported that Marcos’ net satisfaction rating increased by 17 points in rural areas, rising to +9, but declined by 13 points in urban areas, dropping to minus 14.
By gender, the president’s net satisfaction rating improved among women, increasing by five points to minus 6, while it remained unchanged at net zero among men.
Younger respondents showed the largest gains. Net satisfaction among those aged 18 to 24 rose by 20 points, improving from minus 34 to minus 14. Ratings also increased by 12 points among those aged 45 to 54. In contrast, satisfaction declined among those aged 35 to 44 and dipped slightly among those 55 and older.
By education level, Marcos received his strongest ratings among respondents with no formal education or some elementary schooling at +19, followed by elementary graduates at +10. Respondents with some senior high school or college education rated him negatively.
The survey interviewed 1,200 adults nationwide through face-to-face interviews, with a margin of error of ±3 percentage points for national results. SWS said the findings were released “as a public service.”
The job continues
Malacanang has yet to issue a fresh statement on the SWS survey but the government previously maintained that the president will continue his work that will benefit the public and fight corruption in the government.
“Kung ang dahilan ng pagbaba ng rating ng pangulo ay dahil sa ginagawa niya sa pagpapaimbestiga sa mga sangkot sa maanomalyang flood control projects na nakakaapekto sa ekonomiya na nagiging sanhi ng political noise, hindi iindahin ng Pangulo ang pagbaba ng rating dahil sa ang ginawa niya ay isang RIGHT DECISION na maaaring hindi POPULAR decision dahil maraming maaapektuhang tao at politiko,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in December.
[Translation: If the reason for the drop in the president’s rating is his push to investigate those involved in anomalous flood control projects that affect the economy and create political noise, the president will not be bothered by the decline in his rating, because what he did was the right decision — even if it was not a popular decision, as many people and politicians would be affected.]
