House of Representatives Gains Early Public Trust
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives recorded a notable increase in public trust despite the political drama involving Vice President Sara Duterte. Lawmakers say this rise reflects the chamber’s commitment to its duties and legislative work.
Recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) surveys revealed that trust in the House of Representatives climbed to 57 percent in June 2025, rising from 34 percent in April and 49 percent in May. This early public trust shows that citizens recognized the chamber’s focus on governance over political noise, local leaders noted.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong commented, “Usually, when a particular Congress nears the end of its session, trust ratings decrease, especially if there are intense issues like an impeachment. But this time, it was the other way around, trust ratings increased. That tells us something very important. People saw what we were doing, not the noise.”
Speaker Romualdez’s Approval Rises Amid Challenges
Adiong also highlighted that the House Speaker during the 19th Congress, Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, saw his ratings rise by 11 percentage points despite the politically divisive environment. The House’s investigation and impeachment of Duterte did not deter lawmakers from fulfilling their responsibilities.
“The House was not pulled into politics. There was no showbiz, no dispute at the plenary, we just continued to craft laws and do oversight. And that kind of institutional focus is rare during high-stakes political drama,” Adiong added.
He emphasized that lawmakers resisted being drawn into political theatrics. “While they are trying to stir the issue of the impeachment outside, we are just doing our jobs. That’s why the people may have thought that we are serious, and that translated into trust,” he said.
Legislative Focus Strengthens Public Confidence
Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said the SWS survey results validate the House’s efforts to pass meaningful laws. “These results affirm the people’s trust in a House that has chosen to focus on legislation that uplifts lives and protects our future. We are proud to serve under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, whose steady hand guided the chamber through challenging times while delivering meaningful reform,” Acidre explained.
“In the face of political turbulence, the House remained focused on its constitutional mandate. We did the work, and the public has taken notice,” he added. “This trust is not just a vote of confidence, it is a call for continuity, discipline, and deeper service.”
Adiong also pointed out that the impeachment process itself did not diminish public trust. “If the people do not want impeachment, trust in the House should have fallen. But it’s not the case, it even increased. So that means the online noise did not translate as the true sentiment of the public,” he said.
“This means that people want substance over drama. And Speaker Romualdez benefited from that visibility. He may not be doing press conferences regularly, but the public saw his output,” Adiong added. “He does not have ads, he does not have rallies, but trust increases. That’s performance-based trust. And it cannot be easily obtained, especially with the political noise.”
Impeachment and Election Impact
On February 5, Duterte was impeached after 215 lawmakers signed a complaint citing allegations of misuse of confidential funds, threats to officials, and other constitutional violations. The articles of impeachment were quickly sent to the Senate for trial, as the Constitution mandates when one-third of House members endorse such a petition.
Observers suggested the impeachment may have influenced the poor performance of the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in the 2025 midterm elections. Alyansa campaign manager and Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco acknowledged the impeachment played a role in only six of eleven candidates making the Magic 12 roster despite strong survey numbers.
However, 19th Congress Deputy Speaker David Suarez disagreed. He pointed out that over 80 percent of House candidates who signed the complaint against Duterte won their races, showing that support for impeachment did not hurt all lawmakers electorally.
Continuity and Strength for the House
Adiong believes the rising trust places the House in a strong position moving forward. “Usually, when Congress changes, trust is reset. But now it did not change. That tells us that the people want continuity. They do not want a reset button,” he said.
“If Speaker Romualdez continues to lead the House, we’re not starting from zero. We’re picking up from a position of strength. That means we can move faster, legislate better and carry over the momentum from the last three years,” Adiong concluded.
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