SWS survey shows more people care for Duterte, Palace says

MANILA — A Social Weather Stations survey that found 66 percent of respondents in the fourth quarter of 2018 were worried about the state of health of President Rodrigo Duterte means people care about the president, his spokesman said Thursday.

“They want this president to remain in office, they don't want to be deprived of the change they've seen during his governance,” Panelo, whose job includes fielding questions on Duterte's health, said. 

According to the SWS survey, 22 percent of the 66 percent were "worried a great deal" while 44 percent said that they were "somewhat worried" about the president's health. 

This is 11 points higher since the last time this question was surveyed in September. “ [It] shows that there is an increase in people worrying and caring for the president," Panelo said.

According to SWS, respondents were asked the following questions:

• "How much do you 'believe' or 'not believe' that he has health problems?"
• "How worried are you that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte will have health problems?"

According to Panelo, Duterte is “the most” transparent about his illnesses, as he normally shares whatever he’s feeling with anyone in the room. 

The SWS survey also found that 49 percent believe that Duterte has health problems, with 17 percent strongly believing, and 13 somewhat believing that he does. Of those surveyed, "24 percent do not believe (11 percent 'somewhat not believe' and 13 percent 'strongly not believe')," SWS said. 

"This gives a net belief score of +25 (% believe MINUS % not believe), 6 points above the net +19 (45 percent 'believe', 26 percent 'do not believe') in September 2018," SWS said in its release.

Panelo, however, said Duterte would not be issuing regular health bulletins.

“The Constitution requires an update only if the president suffers from serious illness,” Panelo said. 

READ: Palace agrees to update on Duterte's health 'in case of serious illness.'

Duterte’s absences from international events and a perceived discoloration of his face has raised speculations on his health.

He was criticized for being absent from several meetings at the last Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Singapore last year.

The president later explained and defended his power naps.

READ: 'What's wrong with my naps?' says Duterte after skipping ASEAN meetings 

Duterte said in November that his skin color is due to old age, although he previously blamed the discoloration on his wife’s lotion and then he said it was sunburn from touring military camps.