Malacañang emphasized on Tuesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains dedicated to delivering public services rather than tracking his popularity ratings, following a new survey that indicated a slight rise in his public satisfaction scores.
The statement was issued after the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll revealed that dissatisfaction with Marcos dropped to 45 percent from 49 percent, while his satisfaction rating stood at 38 percent.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the Chief Executive’s resolve to serve the nation remains steadfast, regardless of whether his poll numbers climb or fall.
“Siguro, every time na itatanong ninyo sa akin ang survey, every time, ito lang isasagot ko sa inyo kaya uulit-ulitin ko na lang ito—tumaas, bumaba.”
She further noted:
”Ang Pangulo ay hindi po apektado ng numero, tumaas iyan, bumaba iyan.”
According to Castro, the President is entirely focused on fulfilling his duties as the leader of the country.
”Ang focus ng Pangulo ay magtrabaho.”
She continued:
“Kung ano ang kailangan maipaabot sa ating mga kababayan, iyon po ang gagawin ng ating Pangulo at ng administrasyon na ito.”
Castro also stressed that the administration’s outlook on popularity polls will not shift, no matter what future surveys reveal.
”Sa susunod ulit, next month, next week, mayroon na namang survey, uulitin ko lang po ang aking sagot—tumaas, bumaba ang Pangulo ay hindi apektado ng numero.”
She added:
“Tuloy-tuloy lang po ang pagtatrabaho, hindi bakasyon.”
While asserting that the President does not direct his administration based on poll numbers, Castro noted that public feedback remains useful, especially for Cabinet members tasked with refining state initiatives.
”Hindi iyan dini-disregard at ito naman ay nakikita rin ng mga miyembro ng Gabinete ano ang dapat na i-push, ano iyong dapat na pagtuunan ng pansin.”
She pointed out that survey results serve as a guide for the government to pinpoint areas where services and policies require enhancement.
Castro added that Marcos has no reason to worry about his approval ratings, given that the Constitution prevents a sitting president from running for office again.
”Ang Pangulo, gumanda man, hindi gumanda ang survey para sa kaniya; hindi po siya maaapektuhan nito.”
She added:
”In the first place, hindi naman siya tatakbo bilang Pangulo sa susunod. So, trabaho lang po ang Pangulo.”
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the president is restricted to a single six-year term with no option for reelection.
Throughout his term, Marcos has repeatedly expressed a preference for being judged by the concrete outcomes of his policies and programs rather than temporary poll numbers, emphasizing that his ultimate goal is to uplift the lives of the Filipino people.