DAVAO City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte clinched the top spot as the most trusted and highest-performing local chief executive in Region XI, according to the latest independent governance poll.
In the newly released “Boses ng Bayan” Index of Governance (IOG) Survey conducted by the RPMD Foundation Inc., Duterte outperformed his regional counterparts by securing a commanding 83.1% overall Index of Governance score.
Duterte’s chart-topping evaluation is backed by an 82.5% public trust rating and an 83.7% job performance rating, making it the highest combined score recorded among all city mayors across the region.
While Duterte maintained a comfortable lead, competition remained tight among Davao’s other key city leaders.
- Second Place (Tie): Panabo City Mayor Jose Relampagos and Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy both scored 81.8%.
- Third Place: Digos City Mayor Josef “JC” Cagas trailed closely behind with a strong 78%.
- Fourth Place: Mati City Mayor Joel Mayo Almario rounded out the list, posting a respectable 73% governance score.
The RPMD Foundation clarified that the Index of Governance is not a mere popularity contest. The comprehensive framework evaluates mayors through a rigorous matrix centered on public delivery and institutional leadership.
The evaluation covers crucial governance parameters, including: Execution of social services and peace and order initiatives, Infrastructure development and environmental protection, Disaster preparedness and digital governance transition, and Institutional transparency, accountability, and overall public responsiveness.
Methodology
The data reflects widespread public sentiment across the local demographics. The “Boses ng Bayan” survey was deployed between April 1 and April 8, 2026, utilizing a multi-stage random sampling methodology that interviewed 5,000 registered voters throughout the entire Davao Region.
