The latest Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan survey delivers an unmistakable signal: something is deeply wrong in the national government’s relationship with Mindanao. Traditionally a stronghold for leaders from the Duterte administration and historically a politically engaged region, Mindanao now registers a staggering 4% approval rating and an almost unimaginable 3% trust rating for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in September 2025.
These figures are not just numbers on a page; they are a crisis in governance, a warning bell for the national administration, and a reflection of the frustration and alienation of millions of Mindanawons who feel overlooked and marginalized in national decision-making.
From Loyalty to Disillusionment
Mindanao’s dramatic drop in approval and trust is particularly striking because the region has long been considered loyal to leaders associated with former President Rodrigo Duterte. In contrast, the same Pulse Asia survey shows that in Luzon, approval and trust ratings are higher, and while the Visayas also experienced declines (approval from 41% to 23%, trust from 43% to 21%), Mindanao’s plunge is by far the most severe. This is a clear sign that the region no longer feels represented or heard in the national government’s actions and policies.
Unequal Treatment in Infrastructure and Development
A major source of this distrust lies in the perceived inequity in the distribution of public resources, particularly in disaster mitigation and infrastructure projects. Mindanao, which is highly susceptible to flooding and other climate-related disasters, has historically received a smaller share of flood control projects compared to Luzon and Visayas. Shockingly, even within these other regions, billions of pesos have been diverted into ghost projects — funds earmarked for flood control that never reached actual communities, leaving citizens vulnerable and disenfranchised.
Meanwhile, in Mindanao, communities still contend with damaged roads, insufficient flood management systems, and inadequate disaster response infrastructure. Farmers, indigenous peoples, and rural residents see their taxes and national revenues seemingly disappear elsewhere. This systematic neglect is not only a matter of infrastructure; it is a matter of equity, fairness, and inclusion.
Political Symbolism and Distrust
Public frustration in Mindanao is further exacerbated by politically symbolic decisions, such as the surrender of former President Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC). For many Mindanawons, Duterte remains a regional icon whose leadership they associate with protection, stability, and advocacy for Mindanao’s interests. The perception that the national government has actively cooperated with the ICC to detain Duterte feeds the narrative of regional marginalization and reinforces distrust in a government seen as indifferent or even hostile to Mindanao’s concerns.
Governance and Corruption Concerns
The Pulse Asia survey coincided with national investigations into corruption and ghost projects. From the misallocation of funds in the 2025 General Appropriations Act to irregularities in flood control projects, the alleged siphoning of billions of pesos eroded trust across the country — and nowhere more sharply than in Mindanao. When citizens witness officials misusing public funds, the effect is magnified in a region that has long felt it is receiving less than its fair share of development and government attention.
These findings are reinforced by public protests earlier in September, including the “Trillion Peso March,” which highlighted widespread outrage over infrastructure anomalies. The anger in Mindanao is not abstract; it is grounded in lived experience and visible inequity.
The Implications of Plummeting Trust
A 3% trust rating and a 4% approval rating are more than embarrassing statistics; they represent a structural risk for governance and national unity:
- Reduced effectiveness of national programs: When citizens do not trust the government, disaster response, agricultural support, and infrastructure projects become harder to implement. Local stakeholders may resist or disengage from initiatives, further undermining their impact.
- Fragmentation of the national agenda: Mindanao’s disengagement threatens coherence in national development efforts. Without trust, regional buy-in for policies like climate adaptation, disaster risk management, and rural development is weakened.
- Potential political unrest: The combination of neglect, corruption, and symbolic grievances such as the Duterte ICC case could fuel protest movements, regionalist sentiment, or calls for political reform.
- Loss of economic opportunity: Mindanao is rich in agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources. Distrust in governance diminishes investment, cooperation, and productivity, ultimately affecting national growth.
What Must Be Done
Restoring trust in Mindanao demands concrete, immediate, and sustained action:
- Equitable allocation of resources: Infrastructure, flood control, healthcare, and social services must prioritize regions that have historically been underserved, especially Mindanao. Budgets must be transparent, and ghost projects eliminated.
- Transparent governance: Citizens must see where funds go, how projects are implemented, and whether results match promises. Accountability mechanisms should be strengthened at every level.
- Engagement with local communities: Local government units, farmers, indigenous peoples, and civil society must be active partners in planning and executing projects to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
- Responsive leadership: Symbolic gestures are not enough. National leaders must address grievances, recognize Mindanao’s concerns, and follow through with measurable action.
- Demonstrated results: Trust is earned through outcomes. Flood control projects must protect communities, agricultural initiatives must increase livelihoods, and infrastructure must improve daily life.
Conclusion
The Pulse Asia survey is a wake-up call of historic proportions. Mindanaoans are speaking, loud and clear: they no longer trust the national government, and they feel abandoned. With approval at 4% and trust at 3%, the region is sending a message that cannot be ignored.
If the national government fails to act, it risks deepening the political, social, and economic divide between Mindanao and the rest of the country. The stakes are high: national unity, equitable development, and the very legitimacy of governance hang in the balance.
Mindanao is not just a region; it is a test of the Philippines’ commitment to fairness, justice, and inclusive development. The government must respond — decisively, transparently, and equitably — or face the consequences of a trust deficit that could take decades to repair.