Malacañang is elated that Filipinos continue to show support and trust for President Rodrigo Roa Duterte with only over two months left before he steps down.

This, after PUBLiCUS Asia Inc., in its Pahayag 2022 First Quarter Survey from March 30 to April 6, said Duterte still emerged as the most approved and trusted government official.

“Taos-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa inyong patuloy na suporta at tiwala kay Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Ayon sa Pahayag 2022 First Quarter Survey ng PUBLiCUS Asia, nananatiling most approved at most trusted government official si Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte (We want to convey our heartfelt gratitude for the public’s continued support for and trust in President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte remains the most approved and most trusted government official, according to the Pahayag 2022 First Quarter Survey of PUBLiCUS Asia),” acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in an online Palace press briefing.

PUBLiCUS found that 67.2 percent of 1,500 respondents approved of Duterte’s work performance over the past twelve months, while 61.2 percent of the respondents continued to trust the Chief Executive.

PUBLiCUS said Duterte’s approval and trust ratings are “higher in April 2022 than at any point in 2021.”

Duterte’s approval scores on PUBLiCUS’ 2021 quarterly surveys ranged from a low of 57.9 percent in July 2021 to a high of 64.9 percent in March and December 2021, respectively.

On the other hand, Duterte’s trust ratings in 2021 ranged from a low of 50.4 percent in July to a high of 55.1 percent in January.

“President Duterte is on pace to become the first president in recent history to end his term with approval and trust ratings above 50 percent. The longevity of President Duterte’s popularity is a rarity in Philippine presidential politics,” PUBLiCUS executive Aureli Sinsuat said in a statement.

Andanar assured that Duterte would continue to fulfill his promise of change until his remaining days in office.

“Maraming, maraming salamat po. Makakaasa po kayong magpapatulog ang ‘tapang at malasakit’ na pinakita ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte hanggang sa huling sandali ng kaniyang termino (Thank you to all of you. You can expect that President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘courage and compassion’ brand of leadership will continue until the end of his term),” he said.

PUBLiCUS conducted an independent, non-commissioned nationwide purposive sampling poll.

It interviewed registered voters using a nationwide margin of error of ±3 percent. (PNA)