ILOILO CITY — Voters in Western Visayas continue to express strong confidence in their congressional representatives, with all lawmakers included in the latest RPMD Foundation Inc. governance survey receiving ratings classified as “Very Strong Public Approval.”
The findings of the “Boses ng Bayan” Index of Governance (IOG) assessment suggest that constituents are increasingly rewarding lawmakers who demonstrate effective representation, legislative productivity, accessibility, and responsive public service.
According to RPMD Foundation Executive Director Dr. Paul Martinez, governance ratings have become an important indicator not only of performance but also of political sustainability.
“Governance ratings are not only measures of effectiveness; they are also indicators of public confidence, political sustainability, and reelection strength,” Martinez said.
The survey utilized RPMD’s Index of Governance, which combines Trust Ratings and Performance Ratings into a single measure of leadership effectiveness.
Performance ratings were based on three key areas: district representation, legislative performance, and constituent services. Respondents evaluated lawmakers on their visibility in their districts, responsiveness to local concerns, legislative work, and ability to deliver meaningful assistance to their communities.
The assessment was conducted from April 1 to 8, 2026 and formed part of RPMD’s nationwide governance evaluation program. Respondents were selected from the lawmakers’ respective districts to ensure that ratings reflected the views of actual constituents.
One of the study’s key findings was the consistently strong performance of representatives across the region. All lawmakers surveyed exceeded the foundation’s 55-percent passing benchmark, while several surpassed the 80-percent mark, indicating exceptionally high levels of public trust and satisfaction.
RPMD said the results point to an increasingly performance-oriented electorate that values measurable outcomes, effective leadership, and meaningful community engagement.
The survey also reinforces the link between public trust and governance performance. Lawmakers who remain accessible, responsive, and visible in their districts tend to earn stronger public support and greater confidence from their constituents.
For RPMD, the assessment serves as more than a ranking exercise. It provides a broader measure of governance effectiveness, democratic accountability, and public trust across Western Visayas.
The message from voters, the foundation said, is clear: effective representation, strong public service, and responsive leadership remain the foundations of lasting public support.
