PUBLIC satisfaction with President Rodrigo Duterte's administration stayed "very good" in the fourth quarter of 2018, the latest poll conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed.
The December 16 to 19 survey found that 76 percent of adult Filipinos were satisfied with the work of the current administration, while only nine percent were dissatisfied.
The remaining 15 percent could not say whether they were satisfied or dissatisfied with the Duterte government.
The poll results brought the National Government's net satisfaction score to "very good" +66, 16 points higher from September 2018's "very good" +50.
The Duterte administration's net satisfaction rating rose by one grade to "very good" from "good" in Mindanao (+75 from +67) the Visayas (+63 from +42), Metro Manila (+60 from +40), and Balance Luzon (+65 from +48).
Net satisfaction with the government also improved by two grades to "excellent" from "good" in classes ABC (+72 to +47) and E (+70 to +49).
However, net satisfaction in Class D just stayed "very good" but up by 15 points to +65 from September 2018's +50.
Urban net satisfaction rose from "good" +45 to "very good" +68, while rural net satisfaction remained "very good" from +54 in September to +65 in December.
The Duterte administration posted "excellent" scores on promoting women's rights (+71), and on building and maintenance of public works (+70).
It also obtained "very good" ratings on helping the poor (+68), protecting human rights (+62), reconstructing war-torn Marawi City (+60), and fighting terrorism (+55), deciding quickly (+50), transparency in government activities (+54), and fighting inflation (+14).
The government's net rating stayed "good" on fighting crimes (+44), reconciling with Muslim rebels (+43), eradicating graft and corruption (+42), defending Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (+40), fulfilling commitments in international treaties (+39), reconciling with communist rebels (+39), and foreign relations (+38).
It was "moderate" on ensuring that no family will ever be hungry (+28).
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace viewed the increase in the government's net satisfaction score as a "vote of public confidence and a demonstration of the people’s unshakeable trust to the present Administration."
He added that the figures are "loud and clear repudiations of the critics and detractors of [Duterte] who have described him as misogynistic, anti-poor and anti-human rights."
"While the administration never impelled the vocal minority from expressing their dissent, it is time they finally realize that a sizeable but silent majority has paid no attention to their endless tirades against [Duterte] and the administration, as well as its policies, particularly with respect to the aforesaid matters," he said.
"As we go into the third year of the President’s term, the Filipinos can rest assured that we would not be lulled into complacency while we continue to roll out the programs and services he started in bringing a comfortable life for all under a peaceful and corrupt-free environment," the Palace official added.
The SWS faced 1,440 adult respondents for the survey, using sampling error margins of ±2.6 percentage points for national percentages, and ±5 percentage points each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. (SunStar Philippines)