In the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from November 26 to December 3, 2024, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero solidified his position as the highest-rated government official, while Vice President Sara Duterte experienced a huge and significant decline in both approval and trust ratings, raising questions about her leadership.

ESCUDERO’S DOMINANCE IN APPROVAL AND TRUST RATINGS

Senate President Escudero received an approval rating of 60% and a trust rating of 56%, reflecting strong public confidence in his leadership. His consistent performance has positioned him as a widely respected and trusted leader across the nation.

VICE PRESIDENT DUTERTE SUFFERS HUGE DECLINE IN RATINGS

Vice President Sara Duterte saw a dramatic drop in her approval and trust ratings. Her approval rating plummeted by 9 percentage points, from 69% in June to 60% in September, while her trust rating fell by 10 points, from 71% to 61%. The decline was even more pronounced in the National Capital Region (NCR), where her approval rating plunged by 28 percentage points, from 64% in June to 36% in September—a clear indicator of waning public confidence in one of the country’s most scrutinized leaders.

CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENT BEFORE THE SURVEY

Three days before the survey period, Vice President Duterte caused a stir when she went live on Facebook, revealing that she had spoken with someone about plans to kill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Speaker Martin Romualdez, and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez should she be assassinated. The startling admission drew widespread criticism, with many questioning the appropriateness and implications of such statements from a sitting Vice President.

POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THE DECLINE

Political analysts attribute this huge decline not only to the Vice President’s controversial statement but also to recent issues involving her office. Allegations of misuse of public funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and her absence from critical budget hearings have further eroded public trust and compounded her declining approval and trust ratings.

CONCLUSION

While Senate President Escudero enjoys high approval and trust ratings, Vice President Duterte faces a challenging period as her public support dwindles. The significant decline in her ratings, especially in key areas like NCR, highlights the need for decisive actions to regain the trust of the Filipino people. As public scrutiny continues to intensify, the coming months will be critical for Vice President Duterte to address these challenges and restore public confidence.