Photo: House Speaker Romualdez and Vice President Duterte

MANILA, Philippines – Amid their ongoing political brouhaha, Vice President Sara Duterte and House Speaker Martin Romualdez saw their trust and approval numbers go down substantially, according to the latest Pulse Asia Survey released on December 21.

The nationwide survey revealed that Duterte’s trust score went down to 49% in November from 61 in September showing a significant 12-point decline. Her approval ratings also showed a 10% drop to 50% in November from 60% in September. 

Romualdez too had seen a downtrend in his trust ratings from 31% in September to 21% in November. 

The face-to-face survey was conducted amid key developments in the political arena in the past months. 

According to Pulse Asia, the filing of two impeachment complaints against Duterte, the National Bureau of Investigation issuance of a subpoena for her to explain her kill plot against the administration, continuing tension in the West Philippine Sea and the crackdown of illegal POGOs until December 31 all influenced the respondents view on the country’s top officials. 

Additionally, former President Duterte’s admissions at the Quad Committee hearing on EJKs and his call for the armed forces to go against the president, the Commission on Elections filtering of candidates and President Donald Trump’s resurgence in the US also play a part on how respondents view these personalities now. 

Even President Marcos had a three-point decline in his trust and approval ratings which is 47% in November from September’s 50%. 

His disapproval rating went up by 4% (21% to 25%), while his distrust score also rose by 5% (22% to 27%).

But among the leading officials, only Senate President Chiz Escudero enjoyed majority approval and trust scores at 53% and 51% respectively. 

RELATED STORIES:

Erwin Tulfo, Tito Sotto lead 2025 senatorial survey – Pulse Asia 

3rd impeachment rap filed vs VP Sara Duterte

VP Sara Duterte skips NBI probe anew, expects no impartiality from gov’t investigation

2nd impeachment rap vs VP Sara Duterte filed over betrayal of public trust 

Impeachment complaint filed vs VP Sara Duterte