AFP posts 72% trust rating in latest OCTA survey

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is still one of the most trusted and best-performing government institutions in the country, according to the Q1 2026 Tugon ng Masa (TNM) Survey.

"Both its actual ratings — 72% trust and 70% satisfaction — and its net ratings of +61 net trust and +56 net performance rank among the strongest institutional ratings recorded in the OCTA Q1 2026 survey cycle," the survey showed.

The survey fieldwork was conducted from March 19 to 25, 2026, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 probability respondents aged 18 and above, both male and female.

The survey has a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for the geographic areas covered in the survey have margins of error of ±6% for NCR, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, also at a 95% confidence level.

The survey was commissioned by the AFP, which requested that the survey results be released to the public.

"The findings suggest that the AFP continues to enjoy broad institutional legitimacy and public confidence across geographic regions, socioeconomic classes, age groups, and localities nationwide," the survey showed.

"The consistently high trust and performance ratings reflect strong public recognition of the AFP’s role in national defense, territorial security, disaster response, and public service. The results further indicate that despite broader political polarization and public dissatisfaction affecting some civilian institutions, the AFP continues to maintain comparatively high levels of public credibility, confidence, and approval among adult Filipinos nationwide."

Public awareness of the AFP remains universal nationwide, with virtually all adult Filipinos aware of the institution, indicating "a strong national presence and high public visibility across all major geographic and socioeconomic groupings."

The Q1 2026 Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey shows that 72% of adult Filipinos trust the AFP, while only 11% express distrust, resulting in a very strong net trust rating of +61. These figures place the AFP among the most trusted government institutions measured in the OCTA Q1 2026 survey cycle.

Trust in the AFP is strongest in the Visayas (75%), among Class E respondents (77%), and in rural areas (76%).

There higher recorded trust levels observed among senior citizens aged 65 to 74 (80%) and among younger Filipinos aged 18 to 24 (78%). Meanwhile, comparatively lower — though still majority-positive — trust levels are recorded in parts of Mindanao, among Class ABC respondents, and in urban areas.

On performance, around 70% of adult Filipinos express satisfaction with the AFP’s performance, while only 14% express dissatisfaction, giving the institution a robust net performance rating of +56.

The AFP’s performance ratings are likewise among the highest recorded for government agencies in the OCTA Q1 2026 survey.

Satisfaction with the AFP’s performance is strongest in the Visayas (73%), among Class E respondents (75%), and in rural communities (74%).

High satisfaction levels are also observed among older Filipinos aged 75 and above (79%) and those aged 65 to 74 (78%). While satisfaction levels are comparatively lower in some areas of Mindanao and among certain urban and higher socioeconomic sectors, the AFP continues to register clear majority satisfaction nationwide. — BAP, GMA News