By el Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. posted an improvement in his overall governance rating, while Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian maintained his position as the country’s highest-rated Cabinet official, according to the latest nationwide survey conducted by RPMD Foundation Inc.
Results of the “Boses ng Bayan” survey, conducted from July 12 to 19, showed that Marcos’ Index of Governance (IOG) increased by 2.3 percentage points to 55.1 percent. The rating was based on a 55.4 percent trust rating and a 55.8 percent job performance rating.
The survey also recorded a net trust rating of +25.2 percentage points and a net job performance rating of +27.7 percentage points, indicating that favorable public opinion continued to outweigh negative assessments.
Compared with RPMD’s May 2026 survey, the President’s trust rating improved by 2.4 percentage points, while his job performance score rose by 2.3 percentage points.
RPMD Global Affairs and Political Analyst Dr. Paul Martinez attributed the increase to growing public confidence, noting that the administration’s anti-corruption initiatives may have contributed to the higher ratings.
He emphasized, however, that sustained public support will depend on the government’s ability to deliver tangible improvements in employment, food prices, public services, infrastructure, peace and order, and the overall cost of living.
Martinez said the survey reflected a gradual increase in public confidence rather than a dramatic political shift, adding that the administration must continue translating national policies into measurable benefits for Filipino families.
Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian remained the highest-rated Cabinet official with an Index of Governance of 88.2 percent, consisting of an 87.5 percent trust rating and an 88.9 percent job performance rating. He also topped RPMD’s previous survey with an 87-percent IOG.
Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla followed with IOG scores of 86.9 percent and 86.6 percent, respectively.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida led the third tier with an 85.7-percent IOG, followed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at 85.2 percent and Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon at 84.9 percent.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto placed in the fourth tier with an 83.9-percent IOG, while Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. registered 83.1 percent.
Rounding out the fifth tier were Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. with 82.5 percent, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. with 82.2 percent, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III with 81.7 percent.
elamigo/xf
