Malacañang said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is prepared to bear the political cost of his administration’s aggressive anti-corruption campaign, brushing aside survey results showing a decline in public approval.
Reacting to the latest Pulse Asia survey, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President never expected investigations into anomalous flood control projects to be politically painless, but chose to proceed in the interest of the public.
“Alam ng Pangulo na maaapektuhan ang kanyang administrasyon pero tinuloy ang pagpapaimbestiga para sa bayan at para sa mamamayan,” Castro said.
Castro stressed that Marcos considers the probe a principled decision, even if it affects his ratings.
“Kung ang dahilan ng pagbaba ng rating ng Pangulo ay dahil sa ginagawa niya sa pagpapaimbestiga sa mga sangkot sa maanomalyang flood control projects, hindi iindahin ng Pangulo ang pagbaba ng rating dahil ito ay isang right decision kahit hindi popular decision,” she said.
She added that the President was fully aware the investigations would trigger backlash and political noise, especially as they involve powerful figures, but emphasized that accountability takes precedence over political optics.
Castro also contrasted the current administration with past governments, noting that high approval ratings meant little when corruption went unpunished, ghost projects thrived, and no public funds were recovered.
While Pulse Asia’s December 2025 survey showed Marcos facing plurality disapproval and Vice President Sara Duterte retaining majority approval, Malacañang said the figures would not deter the President from pursuing corruption cases, regardless of who may be affected next.