PRRD retains high approval, trust ratings in Pulse Asia survey
President Rodrigo Duterte remains the most trusted government official with 80 percent approval and trust ratings in the latest Pulse Asia Research survey.
In the Ulat ng Bayan surveys conducted on September 24-30, President Duterte's approval and trust ratings remained high at 80 percent while his level of disapproval and distrust is at its lowest at 7 and 6 percents, respectively.
"Despite the multifaceted political noise,
President Duterte is still the most approved and the most trusted government official in the Philippines today with an 80 percent approval rating and 80 percent trust rating," Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.
"The survey [was] conducted last September 24-30 at the height of the demolition job against the President, even implicating some members of the President’s family," he added. Abella was referring to the allegations that Duterte had at least 11 billion in his bank account.
The Palace official, meanwhile, also hoped that the results of the survey would inspire all government officials to serve the people.
"We hope these survey results would inspire us in the government that, despite the odds and challenges, we should never get exhausted or feel complacent in providing a comfortable life for all Filipinos in an environment free from illegal drugs and criminality," Abella said.
"This is the only way we can return the overwhelming confidence and trust bestowed by our people to the President," he added.
President Duterte received a 92 percent high performance rating in Mindanao, followed by 86 percent in Visayas, 76 percent in Metro Manila, and 72 percent in Luzon.
Similarly, his trust ratings scored high in Mindanao at 93 percent, 86 percent in Visayas, 76 percent in Metro Manila, and 72 percent in Luzon.
His disapproval and distrust ratings range from two percent to 10 percent and two percent to nine percent, both from Mindanao and Luzon.
Vice President Leni Robredo obtained 57 percent and 55 percent approval and trust ratings, respectively.
Robredo's ratings remained virtually constant in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao, except for a 13-percent drop on her trust ratings in Luzon.
Senate President Pimentel also received high scores on performance and trust ratings at 55 percent and 52 percent, despite the seven percent and six percent declines on his national approval and trust ratings.
Pimentel's performance rating decreased in Luzon from 61 percent in June to 50 percent in September. His trust ratings also suffered a 14-points plunge in Mindanao from 69 percent to 55 percent.
Also surveyed were House Speaker Alvarez (47 percent and 49 percent) and Chief Justice Sereno (43 percent and 44 percent).
From June-September, Alvarez's over-all approval and trust ratings both suffered a 10 percent point decline while Sereno's performance rating dropped 13 percent and her trust ratings down by 12 percent points.
Demolition job When asked to elaborate on claims that there was a demolition job against the President, Abella said there seems to be some form of 'orchestrated disinformation' that is in the works.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, however, believes that there was no serious attempt to oust the President or destabilize the administration.
"It's not for us to speculate but there seems to be that particular effort in order to put the President and his administration in a particular light," Abella said.
"Well, for all it's worth, at least, it's an attempt to shake the foundations [of the administration]," he added.
"But apparently, as the Pulse Asia rating has shown, there seems to be an enormous amount of appreciation for the President. Not just from a particular isolated report," he continued.
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito warned President Duterte not to be overconfident.
Ejercito said that while Duterte’s satisfaction ratings in the latest survey were remarkable, the President must show some humility despite the negative criticisms being hurled his way.
“The President has to listen as well. He should also consider the slight dip as a wake-up call to expedite major programs specially infrastructure that would spur economic growth,” Ejercito said.
“There are equally important matters to focus on than just war against drugs,” the senator added.
Ejercito said the Pulse Asia survey at least brought back public confidence in the Duterte administration.
“Mabuti na rin para yung mga nagbabalak ng destabilization at nangangarap manggulo ay matigil na. Dapat magtulungan na lang kaysa maghilaan pababa (I think this is good so that those who are planning at destabilization and wanting to wreak havoc would stop. We should all be helping each other and not bringing each other down),” Ejercito said.
Ejercito also said he agrees with Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s observation that the attitude of some of the President’s men affected public perception.
“I agree with Sen. Chiz that some of the President’s men have become so arrogant that it is a factor in the dip in the ratings. They have to act properly,” he said.
Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” An- gara, for his part said changes in the President’s rating are expected as other leaders of the country have experienced the same thing.
“Anim na taon siyang hinalal ng tao so walang kaso yon kahit akyat baba ang ratings (He was elected by the people for six years, so there’s nothing to worry about whether his satisfaction rating rises or dips),” Angara said.
“(These are just) snapshot of public sentiment at a given time at talagang nagbabago from time to time tulad din ng mga dating pangulo (and are really changing from time to time like what other presidents experienced),” he said.
Pulse Asia Research said that surveys on the 1,500 respondents nationwide were done in the midst of controversies facing the government including the investigation on the shipment of the 16.4 billion worth of illegal drugs that slipped through the Bureau of Customs, the killing of minors by Caloocan City Police, and the filing of an impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Sereno. (With reports from Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos and Hannah L. Torregoza)