Marcos trust rating dips amid flood scandal; Filipinos doubt ICI probe

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s trust ratings fell in September, according to a poll released late on Tuesday, amid a widening corruption scandal involving flood-control projects.

- By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

About 43% of Filipinos said they trusted Mr. Marcos, down from 48% in June, according to a statement from policy think tank Stratbase Institute, which commissioned the survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Ms. Duterte’s trust rating dropped by eight points to 53%, the steepest decline this year, according to the think tank.

“These results reflect a shifting public mood,” Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres C. Manhit said in a statement. “Filipinos are reassessing their confidence in the country’s top leaders.”

SWS interviewed 1,500 Filipinos from Sept. 24 to 30 for the poll, which had an error margin of +3 points.

Mr. Marcos spotlighted a flood control scandal involving billions worth of pesos during his July state of the nation address, bringing the issue to the public that has sparked a political fallout for his administration.

The controversy gripped the flood-prone country, fueling street protests, exposing cracks within the political establishment and has dimmed economic outlook.

Authorities have since formed a fact-finding body to investigate anomalous flood control deals that has summoned key political figures including a former Speaker, senators, congressmen and the government's Budget secretary.