The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains one of the most trusted and best- performing government institutions in the country, earning a 72 percent trust rating and 70 percent satisfaction rating in a survey conducted by OCTAResearch group.
The latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey commissioned by the AFP showed that only 11 percent of Filipino adults distrust the AFP, giving a net trust rating of +61.
Across major areas, trust in the AFP was more pronounced in the Visayas (75 percent), followed closely by the National Capital Region (73 percent), and Balance Luzon (71 percent), while Mindanao registered the lowest at (70 percent).
By socioeconomic class, trust is highest among Class E (77 percent), while the lowest level is observed among Class ABC (69 percent).
Meanwhile, the distrust level is also relatively higher among Class ABC (15 percent).
The survey also revealed that a significant majority of Filipino adults (70 percent) expressed satisfaction with the AFP with only 14 percent expressing dissatisfaction, resulting in a net performance rating of +56.
Across major areas, satisfaction with its performance was strongest in the Visayas (73 percent), followed by the NCT and Balance Luzon with both having 70 percent, while Mindanao recorded the weakest at 65 percent.
Among socioeconomic classes, satisfaction is highest in Class E (75%) and lowest in Class D (68 percent), with dissatisfaction most notable in Class ABC (17%).
The TNM likewise found that public awareness of the AFP remains universal nationwide, with virtually all adult Filipinos aware of the institution.
OCTA noted that these high trust and performance ratings reflect widespread recognition of the AFP’s roles in defense, security, disaster response, and public service.
Additionally, results 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.
OCTA said that findings are released to the public upon the AFP’s request.
The face-to-face survey was conducted from March 19 to 25, with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above.
The survey has a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for the geographic areas covered in the survey have the following margins of error at a 95% confidence level: ±6% for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Welcome results
The AFP on Tuesday welcomed the latest OCTAResearch survey results showing the military as one of the most trusted and best-performing government institutions in the country.
In the latest press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla noted the 72 percent trust and 70 percent satisfaction ratings posted by the military organization in the OCTAResearch TNM survey for the first quarter of 2026.
Padilla said these figures reaffirmed previous survey results, with the AFP maintaining consistently high approval ratings.
“Both these actual ratings — 72 percent ang trust at 70 percent ang satisfaction — and our net ratings are plus 61,” she added.
Padilla also highlighted that all adult Filipinos surveyed were aware of the AFP’s presence and pointed to strong public support for the military modernization program.
“Hindi namin sisirain ang tiwala na ibinigay ng taong bayan at nagpapasalamat po kami sa tiwalang ito (We will not break the trust placed on us by the public and we are grateful for this trust). This actually fuels our drive to perform our mandate better,” she said.
