MANILA, Philippines — A recent OCTA Research survey results revealed that a number of Filipinos are becoming more pro-Marcos than pro-Duterte supporters who have reportedly decreased in the second quarter.
OCTA’s Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey revealed that support for Marcos increased to 36 percent or nearly four out of 10 in June 2024, up from 31 percent in March, while support for Duterte declined from 20 percent in March to 16 percent in June.
Over 31 percent of adult Filipinos identify as independent, not aligning themselves as pro-Marcos, pro-Duterte, or with the opposition, it said.
The survey was conducted from June 26 to July 1 during the height of controversies involving the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and weeks after the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte from the Marcos Cabinet on June 19.
Over 1,200 respondents nationwide have participated in the survey with a margin of error of +/-3 percent to determine the political preferences of Filipino adults: “Alin sa mga sumusunod ang pinaka-naglalarawan ng sinusuportahan ninyo sa politika,” the respondents were subsequently shown a list of names and political parties, especially of Marcos and Duterte.
The data showed that strongholds continue to significantly influence political support among these families.
Support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was strongest in the National Capital Region (NCR) at 43 percent and weakest in Mindanao at 25 percent, the bailiwick of his running mate during the 2022 elections.
Regions with at least 50 percent support for Marcos included the Cordillera Administrative Region (83 percent), Ilocos Region (60 percent), Cagayan Valley (79 percent), MIMAROPA (69 percent), and Eastern Visayas (75 percent).
In contrast, support for the Dutertes, who are from Davao City, is highest in Mindanao at 50 percent and lowest in Balance Luzon at 5 percent.
Regions with at least 50 percent pro-Duterte support include the Davao Region (70 percent), SOCCSKSARGEN (52 percent), and Caraga (67 percent), regions that are situated in Mindanao.
But approval ratings tell a different story according to a separate survey.
Marcos’ performance and trust ratings dropped in a July survey from Pulse Asia with 2,400 respondents. His approval rating fell to 53 percent in June, down from 55 percent in March, and his trust rating decreased by five percent, from 57 percent in March to 52 percent in June.
The survey was conducted from June 17 to 24 and released in July, just days apart from the OCTA survey to evaluate the performance of top Philippine government officials.
In contrast, Vice President Sara Duterte saw improvements in both categories. Following her departure from Marcos’ Cabinet, her performance approval rating rose by two points, from 67 percent in March to 69 percent in June, while her trust rating remained steady at 71 percent in both May and June.
The polling firm likewise said that the President recorded his majority of approval in several regions and demographic groups across Luzon. But Luzon also reported the biggest decline in Marcos’ approval rating at nine percentage points, from 66 percent to 57 percent.
Among higher-income groups (Class ABC), Marcos’s approval dropped by 13 percent while in the middle-income bracket (Class D), there was a three-point decline. However, in the lower-income bracket (Class E), he gained four percentage points, PulseAsia said.
For Duterte, her approval ratings increased by 12 points in NCR, 16 points in the Visayas, and three points in Mindanao. There was only a seven-point decrease in Luzon.
Regarding economic brackets, Duterte’s approval surged by 17 percent in Class E, rising from 65 percent to 82 percent. In contrast, her approval fell by 6 percent among Class ABC, with a 1-point increase in Class D.
