President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. experienced a slight recovery in his public satisfaction ratings during the second quarter of 2026, according to the newest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on July 13.
The poll, which surveyed 1,200 adult Filipinos from June 20 to 29, revealed that the President’s net satisfaction score rose to -7. This represents an eight-point bounce from his record-low rating of -15 recorded in March.
Currently, 38% of respondents express satisfaction with his performance, 45% remain dissatisfied, and 17% are undecided.
“Compared to March 2026, gross satisfaction with President Marcos rose from 33%, gross undecided hardly moved from 18%, and gross dissatisfaction fell from 49%,” SWS noted in its report.
This upward trend was observed across the entire archipelago. Balance Luzon registered the strongest support, scoring a “moderate” +11 rating.
While other regions stayed in negative territory, their trajectories also climbed: the Visayas rose to -3, Metro Manila reached -24, and Mindanao improved to -35.
“Compared to March 2026, net satisfaction with President Marcos rose in all areas: it rose by nine points from neutral +2 in Balance Luzon, by 12 points from poor -15 in the Visayas, by 7 points from bad -31 in Metro Manila, and by 5 points from bad -40 in Mindanao,” the researchers stated.
The positive momentum extended to both urban and rural areas, as well as across genders, with both men and women yielding an identical net satisfaction score of -7. In terms of age groups, adults between 25 and 44 years old recorded the most notable surge in favorability with a 19-point increase. Additionally, sentiment among respondents who did not complete elementary education jumped by 20 points, landing in “moderate” territory at +17.
The study also examined public perception regarding whose interests the chief executive primarily champions.
Out of those surveyed, 43% believe the President serves the wealthy, 35% feel he serves the poor, and 25% think he looks after the middle class.
These perceptions directly correlate with overall approval ratings.
“The President’s net satisfaction rating was good +42 among those who said he is serving the interests of the poor, compared to the moderate +13 among those who said he is serving the interests of the middle class, and bad -35 among those who said he is serving the interests of the rich.”