PALACE ATTRIBUTES DECLINE IN PBBM RATINGS TO FAKE NEWS

MALACAÑANG on Monday attributed to fake news targeting the administration the sharp decline in the trust and performance ratings of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr..

n a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said despite the drop in ratings, the President remains focused on governance.

She said  President Marcos is not bothered by the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey, which showed a 17-percentage point drop in his performance rating — from 42 percent in February to 25 percent in March — and a 21-point increase in his disapproval rating, now at 53 percent.

“Hindi po nabahala ang pangulo sa anumang ratings o survey. Ang pangulo, kahit anuman ang rating — mataas o mababa — magpapatuloy siya sa kanyang trabaho,” Castro said.

“Hindi po siya mapapahinto ng anumang survey. Ang gagawin lang ng pangulo ay gumawa ng naaayon sa batas at magtrabaho ng tama,” she added.

Castro cast doubt on the accuracy of the latest Pulse Asia survey, pointing out the survey’s sample size of 2,400 respondents, which she said cannot accurately reflect the sentiment of more than 100 million Filipinos.

“Nalaman po natin ang respondents dito ay 2,400. So, sa 2,400, hindi naman po ito nagre-reflect ng sentimyento ng kabuuan,” Castro said.

“Ito ay sumasalamin din po sa impluwensya ng mga fake news na nagkakalat,” she added.

Castro cited recent findings from international disinformation watchdogs that revealed the Philippines has a significantly higher rate of coordinated online disinformation—far above the global norm of seven to 10 percent of online conversations on controversial topics.

She stressed these information underscores the urgent need to curtail fake news that could be shaping public perception and discourse.

“So, kung ang mga tao man na ito ay nagbigay ng kanilang mga opinyon, marahil ay bunga ito ng mga fake news,” Castro said.

Castro responded to questions about the timing of the survey conducted shortly after former president Rodrigo Duterte has been taken into custody by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

She reiterated that the administration will continue to govern based on law and policy, not on potentially skewed public perception.

Castro noted interpretations linking the survey’s outcome to economic concerns such as inflation, wages, and anti-corruption. She said the ongoing government programs, including the Walang Gutom initiative and the push for salary increases through the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs), are clear signs of the President’s proactive governance.

“Hindi po iyan tinulugan ng Pangulo. Iyan po ang direktiba para tumaas ang suweldo ng ating mga kababayan,” she said.

Castro acknowledged that the survey results can influence voter behavior toward the administration slate in the May 12 senatorial elections.

She underscored the importance of President Marcos’ directive to intensify efforts to combat fake news.