As expected, the Senate’s approval and trust ratings dropped sharply in the third quarter of 2025 following the explosion of the alleged flood control scam at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which implicated several senators and congressmen.
In the PAHAYAG 2025 survey by PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc., Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros emerged as the highest-rated senator with 27%, while Senator Raffy Tulfo came in a distant second with 11%.
Those linked to the flood control scandal recorded negative scores: Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero at -26%, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva at -29%, former DPWH Secretary and now Senator Mark Villar at -36%, and Senator Jinggoy Estrada at -47%.
The House of Representatives also suffered a steep decline, particularly under former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez. The Supreme Court and the DPWH registered similar downturns.
Analysts suggested that the Supreme Court’s rating drop could be tied to its dismissal of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Even President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration was not spared, slipping from 31% in the previous quarter to 27%, also attributed to the DPWH controversy.
Marcos had earlier revealed that at least 15 contractors were awarded nearly ₱100 billion worth of flood control projects between 2022 and 2025.
During his State of the Nation Address on July 28, Marcos openly admonished lawmakers, saying, “mahiya naman kayo” (“you should be ashamed”) after uncovering alleged anomalies in the flood control program.