Malacañang on Monday blamed the spread of fake news for the sudden decline in President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s approval ratings in March.

“Dahil nga nakita at nabanggit natin itong mga fake news, sumasalamin din po ito sa impluwensya ng mga fake news na nagkakalat,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

(Since we have seen and mentioned this fake news, it also reflects the influence of the fake news being spread.)

Castro also noted that the number of respondents in the survey does not represent the entire population of more than 100 million Filipinos.

“Nalaman po natin ang respondents dito ay 2,400. So, sa 2,400 hindi naman po ito nagre‑reflect ng sentimyento ng kabuuang more than 100 million people or Filipinos in the country,” she pointed out.

(We notice that there were 2,400 respondents in this survey. So, these 2,400 do not necessarily reflect the sentiments of the entire population of over 100 million Filipinos in the country)

A recent Pulse Asia survey showed the President's trust and performance ratings dropping 17 percentage points — from 42 percent in February to 25 percent in March — while his disapproval rating jumped 21 points to 53 percent.

In contrast, Vice President Sara Duterte’s approval rose from 52 percent to 59 percent, with her disapproval falling from 26 percent to 16 percent. She was the only top national official whose ratings improved.

Castro said respondents’ opinions may have been influenced by fake news.

“Kung ito man ay totoong nagkaroon ng pagsagot, hindi naman pababayaan ng gobyerno, dahil dapat nating malaman ang mga respondents, saan ang mga respondents. Ang mga respondents na mga ito ay nakakatanggap ng totoong news o naiimpluwensyahan ng fake news,” she said.

(If the responses were indeed genuine, the government should not ignore them. We need to know who the respondents were and where they came from. Were these respondents receiving accurate news or were they being influenced by fake news?)

Castro emphasized that Marcos will continue to act in accordance with the law and what is morally right, regardless of survey results.

“So, ang mga respondents ba na mga ito ay hindi nakakarating ang tulong ng gobyerno. So, dapat din po nating malaman ito sa parte ng administrasyon,” she said.

(So, are these respondents not receiving the help from the government? We should also be aware of this on the part of the administration)

“At kung anuman po ang nagiging desisyon ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon at ito ay nagrereflect sa isang survey, nanaisin pa rin po at ipapatupad pa rin ng Pangulo, kung ano ang nasa batas at kung ano ang tama at hindi kung ano po ang sasabihin sa isang survey,” she added.

(And whatever decisions the President and the administration make, even if they are reflected in a survey, the President will still prioritize and implement what is in accordance with the law and what is right, not just what is stated in a survey)