Survey says Duterte still ‘most trusted’ official

A FTER the dismal survey results of the So cial Weather Stations (SWS), President Rodrigo Duterte received a boost from another survey which showed that he remains the most approved and trusted government official in the country.

In its latest survey results released Friday, July 13, or 10 days ahead of the President’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona), Pulse Asia said Duterte posted the highest approval and trust scores of 88 percent and 87 percent, respectively.

The June 15 to 21 survey found that only three percent disapproved of Duterte's performance, and two percent had "small or no trust" in the President.

Duterte earned the highest approval score of 99 percent in his bailiwick in Mindanao. It was followed by Visayas (89 percent), Manila (83 percent), and the rest of Luzon (83 percent).

He also registered high approval scores in Classes ABC (84 percent), D (87 percent), and E (91 percent).

The poll also revealed that Duterte retained the highest trust score in Mindanao (94 percent), followed by Visayas (92 percent), Balance Luzon (84 percent), and Manila (79 percent).

The President enjoyed high trust ratings in Classes ABC (82 percent), Class D (87 percent), and Class E (88 percent).

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the executive branch welcomed the poll results, which showed the people's "continuing vote of confidence" for Duterte.

The Palace official also assured the public that the Chief Executive was working "double time" to curb illegal drugs, criminality and corruption to bring about a "comfortable life for all."

"The President views these latest survey results with all humility," Roque said.

"However, he is not leading the country for the sake of high or good ratings. The Chief Executive is simply fulfilling his campaign promises with the best interest of Filipinos in mind," he added.

Other than Duterte, Pulse Asia said Vice President Leni Robredo and former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel III received majority approval and trust scores nationwide.

Robredo obtained approval and trust ratings of 62 percent and 56 percent, respectively. Pimentel registered an approval and trust scores of 72 percent and 64 percent, respectively.

In the case of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, he got approval and trust scores of only 47 percent and 45 percent, respectively.

It was also found that 45 percent of Filipinos expressed indecision on whether to trust ousted chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Only 19 percent had a "big trust" in her, while 35 percent had "small or no trust" in the unseated top magistrate.

Pulse Asia interviewed 1,800 adult respondents, using an error margin of ±2 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

The SWS earlier released its survey results showing the President’s net satisfaction rating falling in the second quarter of 2018 to a new low of +45, which is equivalent to "good" or a grade lower than the previous quarter's score.