MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday attributed the decline in President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s latest trust and approval ratings to the continued spread of disinformation online.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Briefer Claire Castro cast doubt on the accuracy of the latest Pulse Asia survey results, which showed a dip in public support for the Chief Executive. Speaking during a Palace briefing, Castro said the survey’s 2,400 respondents could not sufficiently represent the sentiments of over 100 million Filipinos.

“‘Yung respondents dito ay 2,400. So sa 2,400, hindi naman po ito nagre-reflect ng sentimyento ng kabuuan,” Castro said.

She added that the figures could be shaped by the proliferation of fake news, citing findings from international disinformation watchdogs that show the Philippines as having higher rates of coordinated online disinformation compared to the global average of 7 to 10 percent of conversations on controversial topics.

“Ito ay sumasalamin din po sa impluwensya ng mga fake news na nagkakalat,” she said. “So kung ang mga tao man na ito ay nagbigay ng kanilang mga opinyon, marahil ay bunga ito ng mga fake news.”

Castro made the statement in response to questions about the survey’s timing, which came shortly after former president Rodrigo Duterte was taken into custody by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

She emphasized that the Marcos administration remains committed to upholding law and policy, regardless of survey results.

“Kung anuman po ang nagiging desisyon ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon at ito ay nagre-reflect sa isang survey, nanaisin pa rin po at ipapatupad pa rin ng Pangulo kung ano ang nasa batas at kung ano ang tama,” Castro said.

The Palace official also acknowledged interpretations linking the survey results to concerns over inflation, low wages, and corruption. However, she pointed to the administration’s continuing programs—such as the Walang Gutom initiative and the push for regional wage hikes through the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards—as proof of the President’s proactive leadership.

“Hindi po iyan tinulugan ng Pangulo. Iyan po ang direktiba para tumaas ang suweldo ng ating mga kababayan,” Castro said.

Castro admitted that the survey results may influence public sentiment ahead of the May 12 senatorial elections but reiterated the Palace’s focus on countering fake news, in line with the President’s directive.