8-point jump in Duterte's approval rating reflection of responsive governance — Palace

Malacañang on Friday welcomed the Pulse Asia survey showing a 72% performance approval rating for President Rodrigo Duterte in December, saying it demonstrates that the administration is responding to the needs of the people.

Duterte's approval rating in the poll conducted from December 1 to 6 went up by eight percentage points from the 64% he got in the survey done in September.

"This reflects the sentiments of our people that his leadership has responded to concerns, and issues relevant to our citizenry," acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said.

"We assure the public that the President and the Cabinet will continue to work hard for the interest and welfare of the Filipino people," he added.

The President, who will step down on June 30, 2022, earlier said that the New Year offers a chance to aim higher. 

"As we take a whole-of-nation approach to recover and build back better, may we all be inspired by the promise of new beginnings that the New Year brings. We are given a fresh start and opportunity to aim higher and to do things better-in the spirit of genuine malasakit at pagbabago (compassion and change)," Duterte said.

Nograles said that the President would welcome the New Year in his hometown of Davao City.

The President is yet to name his preferred successor with six months left before he leaves office, even as he has remained popular amid the COVID-19 pandemic. — VBL, GMA News