QUEZON CITY — Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. was recognized as one of the top-performing and most trusted governors nationwide, receiving an 84.4% trust rating in the latest “Sigaw ng Bayan” survey, placing ninth among the top 15 governors and ranking highest among the four Central Luzon governors who were cited for the award.

Organizers announced the ranking days before the 2026 Media People’s Choice Awards to be held at Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday, November 11.

The 2026 Media People’s Choice Awards, organized by the Gawad Pilipino Awards and EUROTV News in partnership with Sigaw ng Bayan, honored public servants, government officials, and organizations based on media selection and public trust.

Organizers based the citations on a nationwide survey conducted on October 1 to 15 this year that polled 50,000 respondents on their perception of leadership integrity, responsiveness, accessibility, accountability, and commitment to provincial development.

Organizers said Ebdane’s standing “reflects favorable confidence among respondents and highlights the importance of experience, leadership credibility, and responsible provincial governance.”

Aside from Ebdane, the awardees were: Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymond F. Villafuerte Jr., who received the highest trust rating at 91.8%; Gov. Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. of South Cotabato, with 90.5%; Davao Oriental Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang, 89.2%; Occidental Mindoro Gov. Eduardo B. Gadiano, 88.4%; Camarines Norte Gov. Ricarte Padilla, 87.1%; Sulu Gov. Abdusakur A. Tan II, 86.3%; Eastern Samar Gov. Ralph Vincent M. Evardone, 85.7%; and Abra Gov. Eustaquio P. Bersamin, 85.1%.

The rest of the 15 top governors were: Tawi-Tawi Gov. Yshmael Mang I. Sali, with an 83.6% trust rating; Aurora Gov. Isidro P. Galban, 83%; Bulacan Gov. Daniel R. Fernando, 82.5%; Pampanga Gov. Lilia G. Pineda, 82.1%; Southern Leyte Gov. Damian G. Mercado, 81.3%; and Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Dulce Ann K. Hofer, 80.6%.

The Media People’s Choice Awards is a main awards category under the broader Gawad Pilipino Awards platform, which recognizes outstanding achievements in public service, local governance, media, and business based on media evaluation and public trust surveys.

Organizers said the “Sigaw ng Bayan” survey highlights the importance of public confidence in provincial governance, encourages informed public discussion, and reinforces government officials’ accountability to the people they serve.

This year’s Media People’s Choice award is the second such recognition for Gov. Ebdane, who placed ninth in the Youth Satisfaction and Trust Ratings Survey among Luzon governors two years ago.

The survey, conducted by the Institute for Global Education Exchange and Internship (IGEEI) in November-December 2024, also focused on governance, programs, and leadership. – Taktikom News & Features