MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte’s high approval and trust ratings show that Filipinos are “generally happy” with his leadership, Malacañang said Thursday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark in response to the first quarter poll of PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. which rated the performance of top government officials.
Duterte remains to be the top government official with the highest approval and trust rating at 65 percent and 55 percent, respectively.
Roque expressed gratitude to the public for making Duterte “the most approved and the most trusted national public official in the country.”
“The latest survey results send a clear message that our people are generally happy with the leadership and performance of the President,” he said.
He assured the public that the high approval and trust rating would inspire Duterte to work harder.
“This strong public confidence would certainly motivate and inspire the President, along with the members of the Cabinet, to work harder to serve the people, especially during this time of global health crisis,” he added.
Source of inspiration
In a separate statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said Duterte’s high approval and trust ratings serve as an “inspiration” for other government workers providing service amid the prevailing health crisis.
Andanar pointed out that the survey results are “concrete proofs” that the opposition and critics have misjudged the sentiments of the public.
“The majority of the people continue to support the actions and decisions of the President despite detractors' unfair disregard and denial of the transformative leadership of President Duterte, through their electioneering and disparaging statements amidst the pandemic,” he said.
He said Duterte’s ratings reflect Duterte’s “resolute leadership” as well as “efficient and effective” rendering of his administration's services, programs, responses, and actions in the fight against Covid-19.
The PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. survey, conducted from March 20 to 29, rated the performance of the country’s top five government officials namely Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, and Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta.
Sotto finished second place to Duterte in terms of approval, with a 41 percent approval rating and a 25 percent trust rating.
Robredo, who secured the third spot in terms of approval, registered a 29 percent approval rating and a 19 percent trust rating.
Peralta registered a 28 percent approval rating and a 15 percent trust rating.
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, who was last on the list in terms of approval, registered a 25 percent approval rating and a 15 percent trust rating.
Meanwhile, Roque also thanked the public for sending well wishes to the President after over 100 members of his close-in security detail tested positive for Covid-19.
“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte remains fit and healthy for his age and we thank the Filipino people for voicing their concern and wishing the Chief Executive's strength and good health during this time of Covid-19 pandemic as he continues to discharge his functions as head of the government,” Roque said.
Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III earlier said Duterte remains “safe” and “in good health” even after 126 of his security aides contracted the virus.
“At the least, our PSG personnel who got infected are not directly or closely detailed with the President and are all asymptomatic without experiencing any adverse symptom. Hence, rest assured that the President is safe and in good health,” Durante said.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar branded as “fake news” the report that Duterte suffered a “mild heart attack”.
Duterte was supposed to hold his weekly public address on Wednesday night but decided to move it to next week due to the spike in Covid-19 infections among members of the PSG. (PNA)
