QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- In a new national survey by Publicus Asia for the first quarter of 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s performance as president acquired a 60% approval rating. This recent rating is down from 64% compared to the same period last year during his (PBBM) last year's electoral campaign.

Results of the "Pahayag 2023 First Quarter Survey" show that the President’s approval rating went down from the last quarter of 2022 by three points in Metro Manila and two points in Northern Central Luzon and South Luzon.

In Mindanao, the President’s approval score decreased by 10 points to 63% but he increased by one point in the Visayas. His trust rating, meanwhile, is at 57%, loosing some points in Metro Manila, South Luzon, and Mindanao while gaining in Northern Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and the Visayas compared to the previous quarter.

The survey was carried out from March 2 to 6 of this year. It made use of purposive sampling comprising of 1,500 respondents which were randomly drawn from the market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos. Only Filipino registered voters were used as samples.

Most of the respondents were 18-49 years old, Roman Catholic and has college education. In terms of gender, civil status and with OFW family, a 50-50 composition has been observed.

Vice President Sara Duterte, received a 67% approval rating. Her rating increased in Metro Manila, South Luzon, and the Visayas, but decreased in Northern Central Luzon, South Luzon, and Mindanao.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s approval rating is consistent at 47% and at 38% for his trust rating while House Speaker Martin Romualdez is also stable at 42% approval rating and a 33% trust rating. Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo’s trust rating stayed at 32% while his approval rating also stayed the same at 39%.

For the ratings of the performance of newly-elected officials, Sen. Raffy Tulfo received a 74%, VP Sara got 68%, President Marcos got 63%. All other recently elected officials fall below 60. Senators Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda and Jinggoy Estrada are considered gainers for this quarter’s survey.

Respondents believe that the top issues for PBBM to focus on are economy, prices/inflation, corruption, poverty and jobs.

The survey also shows what the respondents consider as the most important household concerns while approaching the next quarter. These issues include: not being able to afford one’s basic needs; losing a job; not being able to buy basic commodities due to prices; difficulty in finding employment; and not getting enough pay.

The topmost trusted government agency is TESDA (60%), followed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (59%). For the most approved government entity, TESDA also sits at the top spot followed by AFP, DOT, BSP, and DOST. (ARB, PIA-CPSD)