80% approval for Rody

Pulse: Still ‘big majority’ ratings despite slight dip

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the controversies hounding his administration, particularly on his brutal war on drugs, President Duterte enjoys the trust and approval of eight out of 10 Filipinos, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey.

Eighty percent of Filipinos expressed approval and trust in Duterte based on the Pulse Asia September 2017 Ulat ng Bayan national survey, fielded from Sept. 24 to 30.

Only seven percent of 1,200 adult respondents expressed disapproval with the President, while six percent said they have “small or no trust” in him.

Compared to his ratings in June, Duterte’s approval and trust ratings fell only by two points and one point, respectively.

In the Pulse Asia survey, Duterte obtained majority approval ratings across geographic areas and socio-economic classes (72 percent to 92 percent and 75 percent to 86 percent, respectively) and trust (72 percent to 93 percent and 74 percent to 85 percent, respectively).

But his scores in the new Pulse Asia poll contrasted with that of Social Weather Stations released last Oct. 8, where the President suffered 18-point and 15-point drops in his satisfaction and trust ratings, respectively.

Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes said differences of results among survey outfits were not uncommon.

“We have seen difference in survey results among survey organizations before. There are various possible reasons, from differences in questions, sampling method, period when survey was conducted, etc.,” Holmes told The STAR.

Palace welcomes results

Malacañang welcomed the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey.

“Despite the multifaceted political noise, President Duterte is still the most approved and most trusted government official in the Philippines today with an 80 percent approval rating and 80 percent trust rating. Take note,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

“We hope these survey results inspire us in the government that despite the odds and challenges, we continue to provide a comfortable life for all Filipinos in an environment free from illegal drugs and criminality.

“This is the way we return the overwhelming confidence and trust bestowed by our people on the President,” he added.

Duterte must not be overconfident

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said Duterte’s favorable ratings should stave off destabilization attempts, but these should not make him complacent or ignore criticisms.

“The President has to listen as well. He should also consider the slight dip (in his ratings) as a wake-up call to expedite major programs, specially infrastructure that would spur economic growth. He should not be overconfident,” he added.

Ejercito also suggested that the President focus on equally important matters other than just the war against drugs.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he was still trying to figure out how a difference of one to three days in the survey period could drastically change the trust and approval perception of people by 15 to 20 points “of an already confusing brand of leadership and governance style of (Duterte).”

“Why? I can only venture a calculated guess anchored on my long years in government service, not to mention my own dealings with people from all walks of life. Here it is: Mr. Juan de la Cruz has gotten tired of the more-of-the-same type of leaders as far back as he has already suffered and he is now experiencing a different type in Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Lacson said.

For Sen. Sonny Angara, the result of a survey is a “snapshot of public sentiment at a given time that really changes from time to time, just like those of the previous presidents.”

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Filipinos obviously continue to trust the President and they approve of his work and his advocacies.

“However, all studies should be analyzed carefully. It should be used to attune the policies and programs to the needs of our people. The basic problems such as poverty and impunity still persist in our society,” he said.

Duterte’s allies, on the other hand, welcomed the survey result.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said he was not surprised by the results of the poll.

“I can also feel the support for the President spontaneously from the people I meet,” Pimentel said.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said the results of the poll were the “same feedback I’m getting on the ground – that eight out of 10 Filipinos approve of him and trust him.”

For Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, the survey is proof that Filipinos “love” the President.

He added that such ratings “will keep the political stability that we enjoy and lead us to greater heights as a nation.”

Nograles expressed hope that the survey results “will discourage destabilizers from pursuing attempts to discredit the administration.”

But the opposition said that it is Duterte who is destabilizing himself.

Govt officials’ ratings moved

Meanwhile, other top national government officials experienced marked movements in their own ratings both at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic classes.

Senate President Pimentel experienced a seven-percentage point decline in his approval score and a six-point drop in his trust rating in the third quarter.

Pimentel obtained an approval rating of 55 percent, while his trust rating was at 52 percent in September.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno also suffered two-digit drops in their approval and trust ratings.

Alvarez’s approval and trust ratings both fell by 10 points to 33 percent and 31 percent, respectively.

Satisfaction with the work of the Chief Justice fell by 13 points to 35 percent, while trust in her dropped 12 points to 31 percent.

Approval for the work done by Sereno plunged in the rest of Luzon (-16 points); and in Mindanao (-18 points) and among Class D (-14 points).

The survey has sampling error margin of plus or minus three percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.  – With Christina Mendez, Jess Diaz, Paolo Romero