The latest Tugon ng Masa survey of OCTA Research showed strong public trust in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during a challenging period both in the Philippines and in some parts of the world.

Released on April 20, the OCTA report showed Marcos’ trust rating rose to 54 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from 48 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. His performance rating also climbed to 55 percent from 51 percent in the previous quarter.

The survey was conducted nationwide March 19 to 25 through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above.

“Malinaw ang sinasabi ng numero: Habang maingay ang pulitika at magulo ang mundo, mas dumarami ang Pilipinong nagsasabing may direksyon ang Pangulo (What the numbers tell is clear: While political noise is loud and the world is in disarray, more Filipinos are saying that the President has direction),” Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun of Zambales said in a statement Monday.

“Hindi ito sympathy vote. Hindi ito palakpakan lang. Ito ay pagtaas ng tiwala at pagtaas ng performance rating sa panahon na mahirap manalo sa isip ng publiko (This is not a sympathy vote nor a round of applause. This is rising trust and performance at a time when it is difficult to win public opinion),” he added.

OCTA described the shift as a rebound in both trust and performance, accompanied by declining ambivalence, and said this may point to a consolidation and stronger alignment in how the public views the President’s leadership.

The survey had a national margin of error of ±3 percent at a 95 percent confidence level, while subnational estimates for National Capital Region (NCR), Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao carry margins of error of ±6 percent.

The report also placed the survey period in a tense setting, citing the early stages of the Middle East conflict, emerging geopolitical and economic uncertainties, and domestic political developments, including the impeachment process of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.

OCTA’s own summary said the quarter showed “diverging public sentiment,” with Marcos posting gains in both trust and performance, while public views on Duterte became more mixed.

Khonghun said the most important part of the OCTA findings is not only the rise in Marcos’ ratings, but also the pattern behind it.

“Kapag ganyan ang takbo ng survey, ibig sabihin hindi lang napapansin ang Pangulo. Mas malinaw na rin pumapanig sa kanya ang tingin ng taumbayan (The survey trend means the President is not just being noticed, it is also clear that public opinion is siding with him),” he said.

The gains were not confined to one part of the country, Khonghun noted.

OCTA reported Marcos’ trust ratings at 51 percent in NCR, 59 percent in Balance Luzon, 54 percent in the Visayas, and 45 percent in Mindanao.

Compared with the previous quarter, trust rose by 9 points in NCR, 5 points in Balance Luzon, 4 points in the Visayas, and 9 points in Mindanao.

On performance, Marcos posted 53 percent in NCR, 57 percent in Balance Luzon, 56 percent in the Visayas, and 51 percent in Mindanao.

Quarter on quarter, performance rose by 10 points in NCR, 5 points in the Visayas, and 9 points in Mindanao, while Balance Luzon posted a nominal 1-point dip but still remained at a majority 57 percent.

The regional numbers matter because they show the rebound is “broad-based,” Khonghun said.

“Kapag may pag-angat sa NCR, may majority sa Balance Luzon at Visayas, at may malinaw na recovery kahit sa Mindanao, ang tawag diyan hindi spin. Ang tawag diyan momentum (If there is a rise in NCR, a majority in Balance Luzon, and a clear recovery even in Mindanao, that is not spin. That is called momentum),” he said.

The same pattern appeared across socioeconomic classes.

OCTA reported Marcos’ trust ratings at 52 percent among Class ABC respondents, 55 percent among Class D, and 49 percent among Class E.

His performance ratings were 56 percent in Class ABC, 56 percent in Class D, and 48 percent in Class E.

The report also found trust gains of 6 to 7 points across classes, while performance rose by 9 points among Classes ABC and 4 points among Class D, with Class E holding steady.

Khonghun said the class figures countered the claim that support for the President rests on a narrow base.

The OCTA report also showed Marcos’ distrust rating stood at 30 percent, while undecided sentiment on trust fell to 16 percent. On performance, 26 percent said they were dissatisfied and 19 percent remained undecided.

OCTA said these movements matter because rising trust and performance, together with declining ambivalence, may reflect more stable public sentiment with implications for governance, policy acceptance, and political engagement.

Khonghun said the OCTA findings should be read as both affirmation and instruction.

“Affirmation, because the public is responding more positively to Marcos’ leadership. Instruction, because stronger numbers create a higher duty to deliver,” he said.

“Pero malinaw rin ang mabigat na punto ng Q1 2026 OCTA survey: Bumabalik ang tiwala, tumitibay ang performance rating at mas dumarami ang Pilipinong naniniwalang si Pangulong Marcos ang may hawak ng manibela sa panahong kailangan ng malinaw na direksyon (But the point of the ng Q1 2026 OCTA survey is clear: Public trust is restored, performance rating is getting stronger and more Filipinos believe that President Marcos is steering the country at a time when a clear direction is needed),” he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said President Marcos remains on the right track despite persistent black propaganda and baseless criticisms, as evidenced by his high trust ratings and performance.

“Despite the noise and the detractors, a majority of Filipinos continue to trust his leadership and are satisfied with his performance,” Ortega said in a separate statement. “The public is clearly recognizing steady leadership. The direction is clear, and the results are beginning to be felt on the ground.”

He expressed optimism that the President’s ratings would be maintained or improve further in the next survey period.

“The next opinion poll will already reflect the administration’s comprehensive oil crisis response that is benefiting millions of farmers, fisherfolk, public utility drivers, commuters, and low-income households through ayuda or financial aid, fuel subsidies, fare discounts, and the suspension of excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene,” Ortega said.

He noted that suspending the cooking fuel excise tax alone is expected to benefit at least eight million households. (PNA)