President Duterte’s trust rating remains high, based on the latest Social Weather Stations survey, amid criticisms over the handling of drug problem in the country.
The nationwide survey conducted last March 25 to 28 with 1,200 respondents found out that 80 percent of Filipinos had much trust on the President. On the other hand, 10 percent had little trust while 11 percent were undecided on Duterte.
These give him net trust rating of +70 (percentage of much trust minus percentage of little trust), classified by SWS as excellent.
The SWS said this is similar to the excellent +72 (81 percent much trust, nine percent little trust) in December 2016.
It noted that the President’s net trust rating has been excellent for four consecutive quarters since rising from the moderate +26 (54 percent much trust, 28 percent little trust) in May 2016. It was a moderate +16 when SWS first asked about it in December 2015.
SWS terminology for net trust ratings are translated as +70 and above, “excellent;” +50 to +69, “very good;” +30 to +49, “good;” +10 to +29 “moderate;” +9 to -9 “neutral;” -10 to -29 “poor;” -30 to -49 “bad;” -50 to -69 “very bad;” and -70 and below “execrable.”
The President’s net trust rating stayed excellent in urban areas, hardly moving from +73 (82 percent much trust, eight percent little trust) in December 2016 to +72 (81 percent much trust, nine percent little trust) in March 2017.
It was down by three points from +71 (80 percent much trust, nine percent little trust) in December to +68 (79 percent much trust, 10 percent little trust) in March.
Duterte’s net rating rose among upper-to-middle classes ABC from +59 (75 percent much trust, 16 percent little trust) in December 2016 to +75 (81 percent much trust, six percent little trust).
It hardly moved among Class D or “masa” from +73 (81 percent, nine percent little trust) in December to +71 (80 percent much trust, nine percent little trust) in March.
However, it fell among the poorest Class E from +72 (80 percent much trust, eight percent little trust) in December to +64 (77 percent much trust, 12 percent little trust) in March.
Duterte has promised that the interest of the Filipino people will remain his top priority following the survey.
“The resistance to change in Philippine society has been breached by President Duterte; with him we are assured that the interests of the Filipino people come first and last,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.
Abella said the President continues to be “the most trusted national leader today” after the survey showed 80 percent of Filipinos give much trust in him.
Abella noted that the President’s net trust rating has been excellent for four consecutive quarters “considering the deeply entrenched culture of illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption.”
“We urge Filipinos to be vigilant and engaged partners in active pursuit of change,” he said.
(Ellalyn V. Ruiz and Genalyn D. Kabiling)