MANILA – The trust ratings of both President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte fell amid the administration’s most controversial corruption scandal, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Wednesday, October 15.

The survey, commissioned by Stratbase Consultancy and confirmed by SWS, was conducted from September 24 to 30 with 1,500 adult respondents. It had a sampling error margin of ±3% for national percentages, with 300 respondents each from Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao, and 600 from Balance Luzon.

Marcos’ trust rating dropped to 43% in September from 48% in June, resulting in a net trust rating of +7 — an 11-point decline from +18 in June.

His highest trust ratings remain in Balance Luzon, where he posted a +22 rating, though still an 18-point drop from +40 in June. He scored +11 in Metro Manila, down from +19. Meanwhile, his net trust ratings in the Visayas and Mindanao fell into negative territory at -1 and -21, respectively.

Vice President Duterte’s net trust rating also declined to +25, with 53% trusting her, 28% not trusting her, and 18% undecided.

Mindanao remains her stronghold with a +75 net trust rating, though it fell from +86 in June. Her second-highest rating is in the Visayas at +29, down from +42. In Balance Luzon, she recorded her lowest at +4, followed by +6 in Metro Manila.

The decline in trust ratings came as the administration faces a major corruption scandal at the Department of Public Works and Highways involving alleged kickback schemes from budget insertions by lawmakers.

Malacañang acknowledged the survey results but said President Marcos remains focused on his work, stressing that he “cares little about numbers” and continues to prioritize public service.