The scandalous political squabble among the country’s political leaders pulled down trust and approval ratings, with Vice President Sara Duterte and Speaker Martin Romualdez - predicted to be principal contenders in the 2028 presidential elections -receiving the largest drop.

In the November 26 to December 3, 2024 Pulse Asia Research Survey,. Vice President Sara Duterte registered the biggest reduction. From 61 percent trust ratings in September, she now has 49 percent, according to the most recent survey.

The 12 point slash drew support form the ten percent drop in her approval rating. The 60 percent rating in September went down to 50 percent in November.

From 32 percent, Romualdez’s approval rating declined to 25 percent in November, registering a seven percent cut.

His trust rating of 31 percent in September also dropped to 21 percent in November - a ten percent downgrade.

It will be recalled that Duterte and Romualdez were the main protagonists in the Lower House inquiries into allegations of mismanagement of confidential and intelligence funds of the OVP.

Interviewed by ABS-CBN News, Pulse Asia President Ronald Holmes said: “Ang nangyari diyan is that mag-i-issue siya (Duerte) ng denial pero mag-i-issue naman ng counterclaim iyung kabila, sasabihin na hindi naman siya nagpapaliwanag.”

“So ‘yung denial ay hind pagpapaliwanag. Maaaring may mga Pilipino na naniniwala sa kanya, maaaring may mga Pilipino naman na nagsasabi eh kikailangan siguro bigyan mo ng mas malawak na pagpapaliwanag. So nahahati,” Holmes said.

President Ferdinand Marcos and Senate President Francis Escudero also suffered cuts in their ratings.

However, Marcos’ approval rating dropped by just two percent , from 50 percent in September to 48 percent after two months.

The chief executive’s trust ratings also dipped from 44 percent in September to 50 percent in November.

Meanwhile, Escudero’s grade cut was seven percent and three peercent in trust and approval ratings.

minimal at seven percent and three percent in trust and approval ratings, respectively.

Marcos’s approval rating dropped from 50 percent

Holmes said the president’s attempt to stay out of the political mess may have worked to his disadvantage.

He explained that it might have been better for Marcos to directly address the issues raised against him by his vice president.

“Ang pananaw ko bilang political scientist, mahalagang komprontahin ang anuman maling ginagawang ng sinomang opisyal,” said Holmes.