PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte's high satisfaction rating in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll showed that even "former cynics" now appreciate his "honest intentions" to improve the lives of Filipinos, Malacañang said on Tuesday, July 9.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the SWS survey, which showed that 80 percent of Filipinos were satisfied with Duterte's work performance, indicated that "the President is on the right track in his policies and actions of governance."
He added that the poll results are "a complete repudiation of his political nemeses and hecklers who remain chained to their bias and prejudice."
"The reality is unmistakable. More and more Filipinos, even former cynics, are believing in the President's honest intentions for our nation. They see how [Duterte] translates his words into action with his programs and policies positively experienced by them," Panelo said in a statement.
"The underlying message of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which reveals a +68 satisfaction rating for the President, is that the few boisterous minority should begin to see the President in the best lights, and not with jaundice eyes," he added.
The June 22 to 26 survey conducted by the SWS found that 80 percent of Filipinos are satisfied with Duterte's performance, a new record-high since Duterte assumed office in June 2016.
The poll showed that only 12 percent were dissatisfied with Duterte's performance, while nine percent were undecided.
Panelo noted that the SWS survey was conducted at the height of the Recto Bank incident, an issue which the opposition "pulverised the President with venom, and until now pilloried ad nauseum."
"The more they hit [Duterte] with dirt, the more people trust him. The more the Left assault him with a torrent of false narratives, the greater our people admire him," he said.
"The uglier the militant groups of the church paint the Chief Executive, the prettier his image becomes, and the more the biased media assault him with negative propaganda, the more the people are enamoured with him," he added.
Panelo considered the public satisfaction with Duterte's work as a "thumbs up sign."
He then expressed hope that Duterte's critics would help the current administration for the country's betterment, instead of persistently criticizing the President.
"All is not lost to these incorrigible political adversaries and religious bigots. They can swallow their pride and embrace the President’s call for unity for the betterment of the nation," Panelo said.
"Should they remain unmoved and dense, they shall be swallowed by the swirling storm of change engulfing the land," he added. (SunStar Philippines)