By Argyll Cyrus Geducos Malacañang said that critics and detractors of President Duterte should now stop with their baseless accusations as the Chief Executive closed 2018 with a "very good" satisfaction rating. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that Duterte's net satisfaction rating went up to a "very good" +60 from his "very good" +54 rating in September. In a statement, Panelo welcomed the survey which showed that majority of Filipinos remain satisfied with Duterte's performance as president. "The Palace welcomes the results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey... These results registered an uptick in all socio-economic classes," he said. "We thank the Filipino people for their continued support for the President as such only motivates us to unceasingly work harder and serve them better as we aim for the best for the Philippines and its people," he added. The survey, conducted from December 16 to 19, 2018, showed 74 percent of adult Filipinos are satisfied with Duterte's performance. This is 4 percent higher than the figure of 70 percent last September. According to Panelo, Duterte's consistent high satisfaction ratings only show that people trust the President and that the baseless claims of his critics have no effect. "The consistent satisfaction rating of PRRD puts a lie to critics and detractors who find nothing good in his style of governance," he said. "The support of the Filipinos for our Chief Executive also sends a strong message to foreign human rights groups and foreign governments to put a stop to their baseless and unkind accusations on his war on drugs," he added. "In addition, the survey result is a slap on their faces for their outrageous intrusion on the sovereignty of our country," he continued. The Palace official also said that the approval of the majority only encourages the Duterte to continue waging war against drugs, criminality, corruption, rebellion and terrorism. "The approbation of a great majority of our people only encourages the country’s Chief Executive to continue waging battles against all forms of criminality and corruption; to further pursue his unrelenting dismantling of the drug apparatus and destruction of the drug syndicate; to crush once and for all the Muslim rebellion, communist insurgency and terrorism in the country; to keep improving the social services given to people and to end the assaults on our natural resources and environment," Panelo said. "The scorecard on the President's performance rating similarly shows the correct foreign policy he has embarked," he added.