By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

PHOTO: PCOO

Despite the apparent drop in President Rodrigo Duterte’s survey ratings, Malacañang asserted Wednesday that the Chief Executive is still trusted and popular among a vast majority of Filipinos . 

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque during a televised press briefing on Wednesday, July 21, downplayed the drop in the President’s survey ratings last June after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of Duterte and his administration, expressed doubts on the president's popularity.



“Hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang tinitingnan niyang survey. Kasi sa past three surveys covering a period of nine months, 90 to 91 trust at satisfaction rating ng ating Presidente sa Pulse Asia,” Roque said. 

“Sa nakalipas ng anim na buwan at itong nakalipas ng tatlong buwan, tama po bumaba pero maliit po masyado ang binaba kasi 88, 88 ang trust at satisfaction rating ng ating Pangulo,” he added.

During a meeting with other government officials last July 12, Roque reported to the President the decline in the results of the survey on his trust and approval ratings was minimal.

On the same bid, Trillanes in one of his "big news" revealed  that based on Magdalo Group’s own survey conducted in Luzon, President Duterte’s approval ratings were going “down” for the fifth straight time in run-up to the May 2022 polls.

“Big news! The Magdalo survey results for July are in. For the 5th straight time, Duterte’s approval ratings are down. Marami na talagang namumulat. Lumalaki rin ang chance ng opposition na manalo sa 2022,” the former senator said on his official Facebook page.



As he is soon to end his presidential term, Duterte has once again toyed with the possibility of running for vice president to get immunity from lawsuits. 

The Chief Executive said he will run for Vice President in the 2022 elections to gain immunity from suit, in response to threats—including Trillanes', that he will be prosecuted once he steps down from office.

“Sabi ng batas, na kung presidente ka, bise presidente ka, may immunity ka. Eh di tatakbo na lang akong bise presidente,” Duterte said during the national assembly of his party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan.


Report source: Manila Bulletin