Malacañang downplayed the slight dip in President Rodrigo Duterte’s trust and approval ratings in September stressing that they were “still high.”
According to the third quarter Pulse Asia survey, Duterte’s approval rating went down from 85 percent in June to 78 percent in September while his trust rating skidded from 85 to 74 percent.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said it was natural for survey ratings to rise and fall given current events.
“The rating is still high; it’s more than 70 percent. Surveys fluctuate depending on when they get them,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
“If it is taken at a time when there are controversies hounding, it may affect the survey results. The fact remains that 78 percent plus remains still high,” he added.
The survey was conducted from Sept. 16 to 22 amid irregularities at the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) involving the controversial Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.
In August, Duterte marked his fifth visit to China to raise the Philippines’ arbitral win on the West Philippine Sea which invalidates China’s claims on the disputed waters.
Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his position not to recognize the arbitral ruling.
Despite Xi’s firm stand, Panelo said the Philippines would continue to assert its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.
Highest rating in Mindanao
Duterte acquired the highest approval rating in Mindanao at 92 percent followed by Visayas (84 percent), National Capital Region (80 percent), and Luzon (69 percent).
He also obtained the highest trust rating in Mindanao at 91 percent followed by Visayas (81 percent), NCR (76 percent), and Luzon (62 percent).
After Duterte, Senate President Vicente Sotto III got the highest approval and trust rating at 72 percent and 66 percent, respectively.
Sotto was followed by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano who got an approval and trust rating of 64 percent and 62 percent, respectively.
Half or 50 percent of Filipinos expressed approval for Vice-President Leni Robredo while 46 percent said they trusted her.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin acquired an approval and trust rating of 42 percent and 34 percent, respectively.
The survey was conducted from Sept 16 to 22 with 1,200 face-to-face interviews. (PNA)
