Davao Survey Reveals Stark Trust Divide Between President and Vice President Offices
A recent survey conducted by the University of Mindanao – Institute of Popular Opinion has uncovered sharply contrasting levels of trust among Dabawenyos toward the country's two highest national offices. The comprehensive poll, which gathered responses from 1,200 residents across Davao City's three districts between January 9 and 26, 2026, demonstrates strong approval for the Office of the Vice President alongside widespread skepticism toward the Office of the President.
Survey Methodology and Statistical Significance
The research was conducted online through sponsored advertisements on Meta Platforms, targeting eligible users who were at least 18 years old, possessed active email accounts, and resided within Davao City. The study achieved a 95-percent confidence level with a margin of error of ±5 percent, providing statistically robust insights into public sentiment regarding national leadership performance.
Presidential Office Faces Strong Distrust
The survey results paint a concerning picture for the presidential office, with only 10.9 percent of respondents expressing strong trust in the institution. A significant 30.4 percent reported little trust, while exactly half of those surveyed—50 percent—stated they had no trust at all. The remaining 8.7 percent were undecided about their level of confidence.
These figures yielded a net trust score of –39.10 percent, which the institute categorizes as strong distrust according to their established trust index. The data further revealed a confidence deficit of 69.5 percent, indicating that nearly seven out of every ten respondents expressed very low confidence in the presidential office's performance.
Vice Presidential Office Earns Very Strong Trust
In striking contrast, the vice presidential office received overwhelmingly favorable ratings from Davao residents. Approximately 71.7 percent of respondents expressed strong trust in the institution, while 17.4 percent indicated little trust. Only 2.2 percent reported no trust at all, with 8.7 percent remaining undecided.
This translated to a net trust rating of 69.5 percent, categorized as very strong trust under the institute's classification system. The vice presidential office achieved a zero-percent confidence deficit, suggesting near-universal assurance among respondents regarding its leadership capabilities.
Understanding the Trust Index Classification
The UM-IPO trust index provides a standardized framework for interpreting public sentiment, with ratings from +60 to +100 classified as very strong trust, +30 to +59 as strong trust, +10 to +29 as mild trust, -9 to +9 as neutral, -10 to -29 as mild distrust, -30 to -59 as strong distrust, and -60 to -100 as very strong distrust.
Net trust is calculated by subtracting the percentage of respondents who answered "no trust" from those who answered "much trust." Analysts noted that the substantial 108.6 percentage point gap between the two offices represents a statistically significant divergence in public perception, reflecting how residents evaluate national leadership differently based on performance metrics, visibility, and perceived impact on daily life.
Resident Perspectives on Leadership Trust
Random interviews conducted by SunStar Davao throughout the city echoed these varied sentiments, with residents identifying personal experience, information access, and government responsiveness as key factors shaping their views.
Ronaldo Caballes, a 42-year-old jeepney driver from Toril, emphasized that his trust in national leaders depends on visible results rather than promises. "I feel happier when I truly see the actions of a leader," he explained, noting that commuters and drivers directly experience the effects of policies concerning fuel prices and transportation regulations. Caballes added that consistent action builds credibility over time.
Marites Lindo, a 29-year-old online seller from Buhangin, shared her careful approach to forming opinions. "It's important for me that the information is clear," she stated, explaining that she monitors announcements and news updates while remaining cautious about misinformation that could affect public perception. Lindo stressed that transparency and timely communication from officials significantly influence her decision to trust them.
Jasper Villanueva, a 21-year-old college student from Mintal, highlighted how young voters base their judgment on how leaders address issues affecting their future. "We look at how they are responsive to our problems," he noted, mentioning education, employment opportunities, and digital policies as particular concerns. Villanueva added that responsiveness to social concerns strengthens young people's confidence in leadership.
Luzviminda Ramos, a 55-year-old market vendor from Agdao, said her trust depends largely on whether government programs translate into real improvements in daily life. "If there is an impact in our livelihood, that's where I trust," she emphasized, noting that ordinary citizens often measure leadership not by speeches but by tangible outcomes they experience in their households and businesses.
Research Implications and Dynamic Nature of Public Trust
Researchers emphasized that localized perception surveys like this provide valuable insight into grassroots sentiment and illustrate how citizens interpret governance through personal experience, access to information, and expectations of public service. They noted that public trust remains dynamic and may shift over time depending on national developments, policy outcomes, and how institutions respond to the concerns of ordinary residents.
The substantial trust gap revealed in this survey underscores the complex relationship between national leadership and public perception in Davao City, with residents applying practical, experience-based criteria when evaluating the performance of the country's highest offices.
