Filipinos satisfied with Duterte in latest survey

THE LATEST Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released recently showed that 3 out of every four Filipinos are satisfied with the general performance of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The fourth quarter 2018 survey said 76% of Filipinos are satisfied while only 9% are dissatisfied and 15% are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, for a net satisfaction rating of +66 classified by SWS as “very good”.

The pollster explained that +66 is 16-point higher compared to “very good” +50 rating obtained by the administration in September 2018. It said that the Duterte administration scored “excellent” ratings in promoting women’s rights and building and maintenance of public works with +71 and +70 net satisfaction ratings, respectively.

The administration scored “very good” ratings in helping the poor (+68), protecting human rights (+62), reconstructing Marawi City (+60), fighting terrorism (+55), transparency in government activities (+54), and deciding quickly (+50). On the other hand, the administration scored “good ratings” in fighting crimes (+44), reconciling with Muslim rebels (+43), eradicating graft and corruption (+42), defending Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (+40), reconciling with communist rebels (+39), fulfilling commitments in international treaties (+39), and foreign relations (+38).

According to SWS, the national administration’s net satisfaction rating rose by one grade in all areas.

In Mindanao, net satisfaction rating rose from very good to excellent, up by 8 points from +67 to +75 while it jumped from good to very good or up by 21 points from +42 to +63 in Visayas; from good to very good (from +40 to +60) in Metro Manila; and, also from good to very good (+48 to +65) in Balance of Luzon.

The survey was conducted from December 16-19, 2018 with 1,440 respondents and a margin of error of ±2.6 percent.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo described the survey results as “loud and clear repudiations” of his critics and detractors who questioned his policies and reforms.

“These figures are loud and clear repudiations of the critics and detractors of PRRD who have described him as misogynistic, anti-poor and anti-human rights, and who have taken turns in questioning the Build-Build-Build Infrastructure Program and lambasting the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi,” Panelo said.

He said Duterte’s critics and detractors should realize that their backlash directed at the President is ignored by those who support him. “While the Administration never impelled the vocal minority from expressing their dissent, it is time they finally realize that a sizeable but silent majority has paid no attention to their endless tirades against PRRD and the Administration, as well as its policies, particularly with respect to the aforesaid matters.

The Palace considers this increase in satisfaction rating as a vote of public confidence and a demonstration of the people’s unshakeable trust to the present Administration,” he said.

He also reassured the public that the Duterte administration will proceed with programs and services that benefit all Filipinos. “As we go into the third year of the President’s term, the Filipinos can rest assured that we would not be lulled into complacency while we continue to roll out the programs and services he started in bringing a comfortable life for all under a peaceful and corrupt-free environment,” Panelo said. (EJ Roque and Azer Parrocha)

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