President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is once again gaining ground in public opinion, as the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey shows a marked improvement in his satisfaction rating, reinforcing a narrative of steady recovery and renewed acceptance among Filipinos.
The nationwide survey, conducted from June 25 to 29, revealed that 46 percent of Filipinos expressed satisfaction with the President’s performance—an 8-point climb from 38 percent recorded in April. At the same time, dissatisfaction dropped significantly from 48 percent to 36 percent, while the proportion of undecided respondents edged higher to 19 percent.
This pushed Marcos’ net satisfaction score to a “moderate” +10, a 20-point leap from the “poor” -10 rating just three months earlier.
What once seemed like a series of dips in approval has now given way to an upward momentum. From a low point of nearly neutral satisfaction in early 2025, Marcos’ ratings have steadily rebounded, signaling that his message of continuity and service is increasingly resonating with the public.
SWS noted that the rebound was evident across the board—cutting across regions, age groups, and education levels. The most notable jumps came from Metro Manila, which surged from a near-flat +1 to +32, and in balance Luzon, where support rose to +42. The Visayas and Mindanao also posted strong recoveries, up to +28 and +15 respectively.
Broad-based gains
Beyond geography, the President saw improvements across both men and women, among college graduates and those with less formal schooling, and among almost all age groups. The only exception was the 18-24 bracket, where ratings remained relatively unchanged—a demographic analysts say tends to shift opinions more fluidly compared to older groups.
Political observers point out that the broad-based nature of the rebound suggests Filipinos are responding positively to Marcos’ efforts to push through challenges while keeping governance focused on essential services, crisis response, and stability.
Marcos’ satisfaction numbers once stood at “very good” levels in 2022, reaching as high as +68. While the figures slid in the months that followed, the latest results indicate that the downward trend has bottomed out and is now reversing—a sign, survey watchers say, of renewed confidence in the administration.
What is notable is not just the sudden spike but the pattern of recovery: from +1 in February 2025, to -10 in April, and now back up to +10. The trajectory is widely seen as a comeback curve that could build momentum in the months ahead.
Marcos: “Keep working”
Reacting to the results, Marcos welcomed the improvement but emphasized that governance should not be dictated by numbers alone.
“It’s, of course, nice to note… but we just have to keep working,” Marcos said during a visit to typhoon-affected communities in Masbate. “Whatever happens—storm, scandal, chaos—the people expect the government to continue providing services.”
He added that elected leaders must remain focused on public service, not politicking, underscoring his call for steady leadership even during turbulent times.
For analysts, the survey is more than a quarterly update—it is a reflection of how public sentiment evolves as policies and programs take root. While the President continues to face challenges, the SWS results point to a broader acceptance of his administration’s role in steering the country through difficulties.
If the trend holds, Marcos’ rebound may not just be temporary but the start of a steady rise that reinforces his political standing and reaffirms public trust in his leadership.