A Pulse Asia survey revealed that a large majority of Filipinos disapprove of how President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration is handling key national issues, particularly inflation, corruption, and poverty.
Conducted from December 12 to 15, the poll showed government approval ratings below 50% in 17 of 18 issues. In 12 areas, disapproval outweighed approval, including the most urgent concerns identified by respondents.
Controlling inflation drew the highest disapproval at 69%, with only 14% approving of government efforts. Fighting graft and corruption (17% approve, 68% disapprove), combating illegal drugs (14% approve, 67% disapprove), and reducing poverty (16% approve, 55% disapprove) also registered majority disapproval.
Other issues with higher disapproval included addressing hunger, reducing taxes, fighting criminality, increasing workers’ pay, promoting peace, protecting the environment, enforcing the law equally, and supporting small businesses. Job creation saw equal approval and disapproval at 37%.
The administration earned majority approval only in protecting overseas Filipino workers (57% approve, 18% disapprove). Slightly higher approval was noted in disaster response, defending territorial integrity, counterterrorism, and farmer assistance.
Pulse Asia’s fourth quarter survey further showed Marcos with a 34% approval rating against 48% disapproval. The nationwide survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of ±2.8%.