Trillanes: Internal surveys show Duterte no longer popular

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has expressed doubt that President Rodrigo was still popular among a vast majority of Filipinos despite high approval ratings in recent surveys.

In an episode of The Mangahas Interviews, Trillanes said his group had internal survey results which pointed to the contrary.

"I disagree na mataas pa rin o popular pa rin si Duterte. Nagko-conduct po kami ng internal surveys at hindi po ganoon ang nakikita namin," Trillanes told veteran journalist Malou Mangahas on Monday.

[I disagree that he is still popular. We are conducting internal surveys and this is not the case.]

In October 2020, Pulse Asia survey results revealed that Duterte scored 91% approval rating amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

"Even anecdotally, you can ask around kung meron talagang tuwang-tuwa kay Duterte o panatikong panatiko kay Duterte," Trillanes said.

"Makikita n'yo lang 'yan sa Facebook kasi 'yung trolls they are trying to give the impression na ganun nga," he added.

[You can ask around if there are still Duterte fanatics. You can only see that on Facebook where trolls are giving that impression.]

The former senator, one of Duterte's harshest critics, also pointed out that there were few people in the streets who approve of Duterte's performance.

Palace's own doubts

Malacañang has expressed its own doubts on the claim of critics that the voters will reject Duterte’s candidates in 2022, including presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

“I'm afraid he can't claim to be the spokesperson of the people of this country. Malalaman lang natin ang desisyon ng taumbayan pagkatapos ng eleksyon, kaya dapat magka-eleksyon tayo,” Roque said on June 7.

(The verdict will only be known after the elections are held, and that is why we should have an election.)

Asked about possible low ratings of 1Sambayan nominees in election surveys, Trillanes said these surveys did not reflect results in the official elections.

Trillanes said the opposition coalition would focus on delivering their clear message to the public to win in the elections.

"Maraming examples na ganyan, 'yung mga lamang sa surveys hindi naman ho nananalo," Trillanes told veteran journalist Malou Mangahas.

[There are many examples of that, and those winning in surveys usually do not win.]

"Kaya at this point in time, ang importante rito ay ma-consolidate namin ang ranks tapos malaman namin kung sino ba 'yung nilalabanan namin para sa ganoon 'yung mensahe would be very clear  and ultimately makikita ng kababayan natin," he added.

[It is important for us to consolidate our raks then we will know who we need to battle against so that our message would be very clear and ultimately our countrymen will see this.]

Only Vice President Robredo and Trillanes did not decline their nomination in 1Sambayan's list of possible candidates for vice president and president in 2022 polls.

Trillanes said he was hinging his final decision on Robredo, who has yet to decide on which position to run for in Eleksyon 2022. —Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News