Survey results not actual indication of public satisfaction of Duterte’s leadership —opposition solons

The increase in the net satisfaction ratings of President Rodrigo Duterte according to a survey does not necessarily indicate the contentment of Filipinos in his leadership, opposition lawmakers from the House of Representatives said Tuesday.

The lawmakers made such remark after the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed the results of its latest survey showed that Duterte's net satisfaction ratings rose by 16 points to +66, classified as "very good."

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo viewed the survey result as "a vote of public confidence and a demonstration of the people’s unshakable trust to the present administration, which the polling firm classified as 'very good.'"

But in a statement, Akbayan party-list Representative Tom Villarin said that contrary to the statement of Malacañang, surveys are not "unshakeable" proofs of trust as these are only perceptions at a given time.

In fact, he said that trust is the firm belief in the truth which the administration falls short in exuding.

"Beguiled or bewitched but never given such unshakeable trust by Filipinos. That is too presumptuous and overbearing of Malacañang to describe the SWS satisfaction survey results," Villarin said.

Of the 1,440 respondents in the SWS survey, 76 percent said they were satisfied with the government's performance, 15 percent were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 9 percent were dissatisfied.

The results of the survey also showed that the highest marks received by the administration are on the subjects of promoting women’s rights (+71), building and maintenance of public works (+70), helping the poor (+68), protecting human rights (+62) and reconstructing Marawi City (+60).

But Villarin finds it "incomprehensible" that Duterte received a high mark on promoting women's rights, given the criticisms he received for his supposed misogynistic remarks.

"His misogynistic remarks and disdain shown to empowered women should not earn him their trust nor support," he said.

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano echoed Villarin's sentiments, noting that in reality, the areas where Duterte received high remarks are at a sorry state due to his policies and statements detrimental to the concerned stakeholders.

"I have been going around the country and the sentiments on the ground are otherwise. In the make-believe world of the Duterte administration, the SWS survey would surely mean a vote of confidence," he said.

"In real life, however, many are disappointed, outraged and are already awakened from their propaganda," he added.

For her part, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro said surveys should not serve as basis for the actual satisfaction of the Filipinos to Duterte's leadership.

"Makikita yan doon sa pangkalahatang nangyayari sa ating bayan. Halimbawa, nagt-trickle down ba yung progress na sinasabi ng gobyerno doon sa ating mga mamamayan," Castro said at a press conference.

"Ako personally, hindi ako naniniwala sa ganyang survey kasi nakikita natin, kabi-kabila ang dissatisfaction ng mga mamamayan in terms of social services at iba pang mga serbisyo na dapat maibigay sa ating mga mamamayan," she added. — Erwin Colcol/RSJ, GMA News