A Tale Of Two Mandates: Marcos & Duterte

[00:00:03]social weather station survey the first quarter 2026 SWS survey conducted from March 24 to March 31, 2026 President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.

[00:00:24]posted a net satisfaction rating of -15 down from -3 in November 2025. [music] Vice President Sara Duterte remained the highest rated top government official in the country. Those are not opinions.

[00:00:43]Those are survey findings. And the in law we begin with facts. Now, let us be clear. A satisfaction survey has no binding legal effect. It does not remove a president. It does not install a vice president. It is not an impeachment vote. It is not an election. But in a constitutional democracy >> [music] >> it remains a relevant indicator of public confidence. After all, Article 2 Section 1 of the Constitution declares that sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them. Meaning, while surveys are not law, they measure the very source from which government derives legitimacy. And that is why these numbers matter. Because while Malacañang may argue that economic indicators are improving, the public appears to be saying something else. A net satisfaction decline from -3 to -15 is not statistical trivia. This is a 12-point drop. In fact, according to SWS, it is the lowest net satisfaction rating personally recorded by President Marcos since assuming office. Meanwhile, the Vice President continues to enjoy the highest satisfaction ratings among top national officials despite relentless political attacks, impeachment controversies, and institutional pressures over [music] the past year. And perhaps that is the legal and political paradox before us. One official holds the powers of the presidency. The other appears to hold a larger share of public trust. Kaya siguro ang pinaka sarcastic na headline ngayon ay ito. Congratulations, Mr. President. Your numbers have dramatically increased from -3 to -15.

[00:02:48]Lumaki nga, negative nga lang. Because in politics, government can dispute critics. Government can attack opponents. Government can issue press releases. But there is one thing government cannot cross-examine, [music] a dissatisfied public.

[00:03:08]And when two officials elected [music] by the same Filipino people begin moving in opposite directions in public sentiment, the issue is no longer political messaging. It becomes a question of governance. And that, more than any survey itself, should concern every >> [music] >> administration.

[00:03:32]Another day, >> [music] >> another Regal POV.