Fewer Pinoys believe Rody can fulfill vows – SWS

MANILA, Philippines — Fewer Filipinos believe President Duterte can fulfill “most, if not all” of his promises, according to the third quarter survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Thirty-five percent of Filipino adults expect Duterte to fulfill “most, if not all,” of his promises; 57 percent answered “a few” and six percent said “none or almost none.”

The proportion of those expecting most, if not all, of Duterte’s promises to be fulfilled was 17 points below the 52 percent posted in March.

It was 63 percent when first asked in June 2016, and 56 percent in September 2016.

The latest non-commissioned nationwide survey was conducted from Sept. 23 to 27, using face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults 18 years old and above.

The 17-point decline in the national percentage of those saying Duterte can fulfill “all or nearly all” of his promises was due to double-digit declines in all areas.

The highest decline was recorded in Duterte’s home region Mindanao at 42 percent from 75 percent in March.

It fell by 11 points in balance Luzon, at 34 percent from 45 percent.

It also dropped by 13 points in Metro Manila, at 32 percent from 45 percent.

In the Visayas, it fell by 18 points from 49 percent to 31 percent.

Expectation that Duterte can fulfill most, if not all, of his promises fell by 20 points in rural areas to 35 percent from 55 percent.

It fell by 14 points in urban areas, at 35 percent from 49 percent.

By class, expectation that Duterte can fulfill most, if not all, of his promises is now highest in class ABC, at 42 percent in September, although down by seven points from 49 percent in March.

It fell by 17 points in class D, at 36 percent from 53 percent; and by 23 points in class E, at 29 percent from 51 percent.

It also declined among both men and women, and across age groups, the pollster said.

Expectation that the President can fulfill most, if not all, of his promises fell by 16 points among men, at 36 percent from 52 percent.

Among women, it fell by 19 points to 34 percent from 54 percent.

By age group, it fell among 25-34 year olds to 44 percent from 52 percent; by 13 points among 18-24 year olds to 41 percent from 54 percent; and by 16 points among 35-44 year olds to 34 percent from 50 percent.

It fell by 26 points among 45-54 year olds, at 32 percent from 57 percent; and by 26 points among 55 year olds and above, at 29 percent from 51 percent.

Expectations also fell in all educational levels.

Expectation that Duterte can fulfill most, if not all, of his promises fell by 28 points among college graduates, at 41 percent from 69 percent.

It fell by 15 points among high school graduates, at 37 percent from 52 percent in March.

It fell by 13 points among elementary school graduates, at 34 percent from 47 percent.

It fell by 26 points among non-elementary graduates, at 27 percent from 53 percent.

The survey has sampling error margins of plus or minus three percentage points for national percentages.

Palace downplays SWS poll

Malacañang yesterday downplayed the results of the SWS poll. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the survey results could be attributed to the wearing off of election euphoria, which he said happens a year after a president assumes office.

“We find nothing unusual in the drop of those who expect that he would fulfill his promises as the euphoria of the elections normally wears off after a year in office and people become more realistic on what the government can deliver. This has been the trend in previous administrations,” Roque said in a statement.

“What matters is Filipinos remain satisfied when they gave the current administration a ‘very good’ overall performance rating at +58, as reflected in the same survey,” he added.

Roque said the Duterte administration would continue to perform its duties regardless of survey results.

“The President and members of his Cabinet would continue to work hard in bringing comfortable life for all where citizens feel safe and secure under a trustworthy government,” he said.

Phl’s low score in corruption control

Malacañang is also optimistic that the Philippines’ scores in the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) scorecard will improve because of the Duterte administration’s reforms.

The Philippines got low scores in terms of controlling corruption and ensuring rule of law in the MCC scorecard for fiscal year 2018.

Its percentile ranking in the low income group category was 50 percent in control of corruption with a score of zero and 47 percent in rule of law with -0.01.

The Philippines did not meet the performance standard in the two categories as well as those in gender in the economy, access to credit and business start-up.

But the country met the standard in political rights, civil liberties, government effectiveness, freedom of information, fiscal policy, regulatory quality, trade policy, and land rights and access.

Roque believes the Philippines’ scores will improve because of administration’s strong stance against corruption.

“I’m sure this year, you will see, there will be a reversal in the survey results because the President fired even his close allies (who were accused of corruption),” Roque told radio station dwFM yesterday.

“The President has zero tolerance for corruption. Mere perception that you are corrupt and you will get kicked out,” he added.

Roque said the President is determined to implement the Anti-Graft And Corruption Practices Law.

He also claimed that the MCC scorecard was based on old data.

“It was based on a survey in 2016. The President had been in office for just half a year,” Roque said. “I do not believe that there is a perception that corruption worsened under the President.”

Roque said Filipinos are still affected by the supposed failures of the previous administration such as the train system woes.

With Alexis Romero