ALMOST a year into his term, President Rodrigo Duterte’s performance and trust rating remains relatively high.
In a survey conducted by Pulse Asia in March among 1,200 adult respondents, he scored 78 percent in performance, down five percent from his December 2016 rating. His trust rating also dipped seven percent from 83 percent in December’s polls. Considering that the survey has a three percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level, it is safe to conclude that the president still enjoys the trust of the Filipino people who generally approve of the way he handles his job.
The President’s decisive, if seemingly hasty, firing of erring top level government officials no doubt contributed to the ratings he achieved from Filipinos who are tired of corruption.
This was highlighted by the recent departure of Ismael Sueno from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the near simultaneous sacking of a Department of Agriculture undersecretary.
Prior to this, a number of mid-level officials had been given the boot. The cold bloodedness with which the president made these terminations despite the closeness of some to him, primarily Sueno, showed his contempt for graft in government service. No wonder Filipinos applaud heartily.
The domestic and international outrage on the killing of thousands of small fry caught in the chaos of the president’s war on drugs may have contributed to the slight decline in his poll ratings. He might have salvaged the government’s position however when he temporarily suspended the police in illegal drug operations in the wake of controversies, including various high profile murders perpetrated by the cops themselves.
In a way, the police are now quite wary of public opinion when making arrests of drug dealers as a result of these cases having been investigated by Congress. Thanks in no small part to the independent posturing of prominent legislators and the vigilance of media who refuse to be cowed by the president’s immense popularity and constant expletive laden speeches against them.
Another contentious issue that is confronting the president seriously is the territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea. For many, the president’s position and inconsistent statements have weakened the country’s claim despite a favorable ruling from the arbitral tribunal of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Notwithstanding this misgiving, being the sole architect of the nation’s foreign policy, the president has the final say in regard to this issue.
For the moment, Filipinos seem willing to give the president the freedom to make decisions in this matter. He is, however, not immune to the judgment of history if his course of action should result in the Philippines losing its rights in these territorial claims.
In regard to the economy, the country continues to outpace market consensus registering a 6.6 percent GDP growth in December 2016 with a full year expansion of 6.8 percent in the books. It is expected to grow by 6.5 to 7.5 percent in 2017. If this growth target is met at the end of the current year, all credit will go to the president.
With the coming on line of the P 3.35-trillion infrastructure budget for 2017 which the administration promises to herald to the golden age of business inducing civil works development, chances are these digits are not hard to hit. The revival of the peace talks with the communists is another bright light illuminating the Philippine economic horizon. Better public facilities such as ports and train systems, and end of insurgency in the countryside will entice investors to the country.
Things are indeed turning rosy for the country with Duterte at the helm and it wouldn’t hurt a bit if he decides to talk and act more statesmanlike in addressing traditional allies like the United States and the European Union. Tact and diplomacy will bring in more goodwill and financial muscles to business, not cuss words and antagonism.