Kaiser Jan Fuentes
Even as debates and criticism swirl around government performance, a majority of Filipinos still place their trust in the national government to address the country’s problems.
The latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey by OCTA Research shows that 55 percent of adult Filipinos believe the government can handle issues effectively, while 20 percent said they do not.
Another 25 percent remain undecided or ambivalent, suggesting that confidence exists but is not yet firmly consolidated.
A report from the Philippine News Agency highlighted regional differences in trust. The Visayas led with 68 percent, while the National Capital Region and Balance Luzon recorded lower levels at 49 percent each.
OCTA attributed the disparity to greater exposure to policy debates, more critical evaluations of government performance, wider access to information, and higher political engagement in urban and politically dense areas.
Trust in the national government also spans socioeconomic classes, ranging from 53 to 56 percent.
However, distrust was strongest among class ABC respondents, reaching 27 percent, reflecting higher expectations and stricter standards among more economically secure groups.
Despite the overall confidence in government institutions, many Filipinos report feeling disconnected from elected officials.
Only 31 percent said that elected officials in Congress and local government value the views of people like them, while 61 percent disagreed.
This suggests that citizens distinguish between confidence in institutions and trust in individual politicians.
OCTA Research explained that while government institutions are generally seen as capable of functioning and delivering outcomes, elected officials are evaluated more critically in terms of responsiveness and attentiveness.
“While institutions of government may still be viewed as capable of functioning or delivering outcomes, elected officials themselves may be evaluated more critically in terms of responsiveness and attentiveness,” the survey report stated.
The findings underscore that sustaining public confidence requires not only effective governance but also stronger perceptions of responsiveness and representation.
OCTA emphasized that performance improvements alone may not rebuild trust in elected officials unless citizens feel heard and valued in the political process.
OCTA conducted the non-commissioned survey through face-to-face interviews from December 3 to 11, 2025, among 1,200 adult respondents nationwide.
The research group reported a ±3 percent margin of error at the national level and ±6 percent for major geographic areas.
