President Duterte has maintained high approval and trust ratings more than a year and half into the country's coronavirus crisis which heavily impacted the lives of many Filipinos, according to an independent pollster.
In the survey conducted by RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMDinc), an independent and non-commissioned survey,
Duterte obtained an overall approval rating of 77 percent in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The Chief Exective also registered a trust rating of 72 percent based on the survey conducted among 3,500 respondents in NCR from July 3 to 10 this year.
Dr. Paul Martinez, executive director of RPMD, cited the current political analytics showing Duterte’s “commendable” performance in spite of the “challenges that he is currently facing.”
“Majority of the constituents appreciate the efforts he has done in NCR,” Martinez said in a statement.
“The Duterte family name has embedded it's brand name in the society wherein the possibility of her daughter running for a political position will be a great advantage,” he added.
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In the NCR, the same survey also showed the top five performing government officials, with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos topping the list for his 70 percent approval rating.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año placed second at 68 percent, followed closely by Public Works Secretary Mark Villar with 66 percent, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade with 65, and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez with 63 percent.
The most trusted agencies were as follow: Department of Justice (DOJ), 68 percent; Department of Tourism (DOT), 65 percent; and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), 63 percent.
Overall public satisfaction with the Cabinet officials of President Duterte was at 57 percent rating, the survey said.
Phyns Patalinghug, RPMD’s political analyst consultant, explained the 15 Cabinet officials were presented to the respondents and asked to rate them individually—whether they approve or disapprove of them based on how they handle their jobs in their respective agencies.
Patalinghug underscored the need for continuous monitoring of the job performance ratings and achievements of government officials to appraise their programs.
He said the government agency where they work for should also be evaluated to identify if its initiatives are really helping Filipinos in this time of the pandemic.