(Photo courtesy of PCO)
MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday maintained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to delivering government services despite a decline in his trust and performance ratings in the latest Octa Research survey.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said survey figures do not necessarily reflect the administration’s accomplishments, citing government programs that have benefited Filipinos.
“Ang survey results ay numero na nagbibigay ng mga paalala pero hindi ito nagpapakita ng tunay na ginagawang trabaho ng Pangulo para sa ating mga kababayan,” Castro said.
Her remarks came after the latest Octa Research Tugon ng Masa Survey, conducted from September 28 to October 4, showed Marcos’ trust rating dropping to 45 percent from 49 percent in July 2026.
The President’s performance rating also declined to 44 percent from 47 percent during the same period.
Castro suggested that some beneficiaries of government assistance programs might not have been included in the survey, potentially contributing to differences in polling results.
She cited farmers receiving government support and patients benefiting from the Zero Balance Billing policy in public hospitals as examples of individuals reached by the administration’s initiatives.
“Ang mga tao na naabot na ng gobyerno tulad ng mga magsasaka, mga pasyenteng nakaranas ng zero balance billing sa mga hospital ay maaaring hindi nakasama sa mga survey kaya iba iba ang numerong lumalabas sa mga survey,” she explained.
Castro also pointed to positive feedback from beneficiaries of the government’s Walang Gutom Program, which aims to address food insecurity among vulnerable households.
“Dahil ang mga nagbago ang kondisyon sa Walang Gutom program ay maganda ang nabigay na numero,” she added.
Despite the lower ratings, Castro assured the public that Marcos would continue carrying out his responsibilities and implementing government programs.
“Anumang numero ang lumabas ay hindi magpapatigil at magpapatinag sa ating pangulo sa pagtatrabaho,” she said.
