Duterte’s satisfaction rating falls to new low

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte's net satisfaction rating in the second quarter of 2018 fell 11 points to a new low of +45, which is equivalent to "good" or a grade lower than the previous quarter's score.

The latest survey by the Social Weather Stations, conducted from June 27 to 30, showed that adult Filipinos satisfied with Duterte's performance from April to June comprised only 65 percent, a five-percentage-point drop from the 70 percent recorded in March.

About 20 percent were dissatisfied with the President's performance, while 15 percent were ambivalent on the matter.

The poll results yielded a net public satisfaction score of "good" +45, one grade lower compared to March's "very good" +56 and three points down from September 2017's "good" +48.

The SWS noted that Duterte's 11-point drop in his net satisfaction rating was due to declines in all surveyed geographical areas.

The survey showed that public satisfaction with Duterte fell by 20 points from "very good" +54 in March to "good" +34.

Duterte also registered

decreases of 18 points in Visayas ("very good" +65 to "good" +47), six points in Balance Luzon ("good" +39 to "good" +33), and six points in Mindanao ("excellent" +82 to "excellent" +76).

Speaking to reporters in Pampanga, Duterte merely shrugged off the latest SWS poll results.

"I do not care. Make it 15 (point drop). Wala na ako diyan (I don't care). It does not interest me at all," Duterte said.

"Basta ako coast along na lang ako. I'm just travelling along the coast and with a new suggestion, since I am not popular anymore, Congress might decide to get a popular one. You want a popular person, I'm fine, good," he added.

(I would just coast along. I'm just travelling along the coast and with a new suggestion, since I am not popular anymore, Congress might decide to get a popular one. You want a popular person, I'm fine, good.)

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte "still enjoyed the confidence" of majority of Filipinos, despite challenges hounding his presidency.

Roque also assured that Duterte and his government would double efforts to improve the lives of the Filipino people.

"Regardless of numbers, we assure everyone that the President and the members of his Cabinet would continue to work double-time in bringing the fruits of a better and more inclusive economy, and in strengthening the govern- ment’s drive against illegal drugs, crime, and corruption," the Palace official said.

SWS interviewed 1,200 respondents, using sampling error margins of ±3 percentage points for national percentages, and ±6 percentage points each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines