The latest survey in the Philippines shows that the trust rating of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has dropped to a historical low of only 14%. Meanwhile, his distrust rating has sharply risen to 63%, reflecting the growing dissatisfaction among the public with the current government.
This survey was released shortly after the former President Rodrigo Duterte was officially arrested. Analysts believe that the Marcos administration's focus on political struggles has impacted its efforts on economic and livelihood issues, leading to a sharp rise in social discontent.
Data shows that the government's dissatisfaction rate has risen from 30% at the end of 2024 to 45%, and the percentage of respondents who think the country is "heading in the wrong direction" has also climbed from 32% to 45%.
Critics point out that since the Marcos administration took office, it has been committed to weakening the influence of the Duterte family, including pushing for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte last year, and the recent transfer of former President Duterte to the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands earlier this month. These actions have triggered large-scale protests in the Philippines, especially on the island of Mindanao, further expanding public dissatisfaction.
Marcos had promised to promote economic growth and reduce poverty rates, but reality has been far from these promises. The latest survey shows that by March 2025, the national hunger rate in the Philippines soared to 27.2%, with approximately 7.1 million families experiencing at least one instance of involuntary hunger during the survey period. This figure sets a new high since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, highlighting the deepening economic difficulties.
Meanwhile, the cost of living continues to rise, significantly reducing the purchasing power of the public. According to a market survey in November 2024, almost all goods have seen price increases during Marcos' administration compared to Duterte's tenure. For instance, gasoline prices rose from 50 pesos per liter during 2016-2018 to 70 pesos during 2022-2024; cooking oil from 135 pesos/kg to 200 pesos, an increase of 48%; onion prices from 90 pesos/kg to 175 pesos, an increase of 94%.
Food and other daily expenses have also significantly increased:
- Rice: from 45 pesos per kg to 55 pesos (+22%)
- Pork: from 225 pesos per kg to 315 pesos (+40%)
- Chicken: from 140 pesos per kg to 190 pesos (+36%)
- Beef: from 265 pesos per kg to 375 pesos (+42%)
- Jeepney fare: from 8 pesos to 12 pesos (+50%)
- Electricity: average monthly from 1,750 pesos to 2,750 pesos (+57%)
- Long-distance bus fare: per kilometer from 2 pesos to 3 pesos (+50%)
Due to inflationary pressures and political instability, business confidence in the government is also declining. A survey released by the Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP) on March 28, 2025, shows a significant drop in business confidence index for the first three months of 2025, due to factors such as reduced holiday spending, rising prices, and increased market uncertainty.
Facing domestic economic difficulties and public dissatisfaction, economists and social observers call on the Marcos government to prioritize livelihood issues over political struggles. They point out that stabilizing prices, creating job opportunities, and improving infrastructure are key to regaining public trust and driving national progress.
If the government fails to adjust its direction, social discontent may further ferment, potentially affecting future political stability. The Philippines is at a critical turning point, and how to balance political and economic development will be a major challenge for the Marcos administration in the future.
