By Leslie Ann Aquino
At least two Catholic prelates believe that the statements made by President Duterte against God and the Church contributed to the drop in his net satisfaction rating.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/MANILA BULLETIN)
"I am not surprised because his statements against God, criticism of the Holy Bible, insults against the Church, suspicious murder of priests, have become unbearable for Filipinos who are deeply religious at heart," Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said in an interview.
"If God is his enemy, he divinizes himself, which we Filipinos cannot tolerate," he added.
Bastes said this is the reason why he considers the result of the survey as a "happy news."
Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said the drop in Duterte's net satisfaction is a "wake up call" to the President.
"This drop in the net satisfaction is his wake up call to assess, to review his words and actions, and to have a change of heart," he said.
"Filipinos are very polite people, very respectful to God and elders. His words are abusive and offensive words. And these do not suit well to the upbringing of our children and young people," Santos added.
The drop in satisfaction rating, he said was a verdict of the Filipinos that they- president and elected officials - must "do more, to give more and serve more which they failed to do."
Based on the Second Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey conducted from June 27-30, 2018, the President’s net satisfaction rating fell to a new personal low of +45, classified by SWS as good.