PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte remains the most trusted government official in the country, and for Malacañang, this has not come as a surprise as the Chief Executive is a "very transparent leader."
The Pulse Asia June 24 to 30 poll showed that Duterte remains to be the "most approved and trusted" high-ranking official with 85 percent approval and trust ratings.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said this is "not surprising," adding "it keeps on increasing simply because the President is a very transparent leader."
"His political will shows in every measure or step he has undertaken. It shows how sincere he is, and the people are satisfied with his method of governance," he said Thursday, July 18.
The survey was conducted following the June 9 allision of Filipino and Chinese vessels in the Philippine waters, the June 28 twin Sulu blasts, and the call of 11 United Nations human rights experts for the conduct of investigation on Duterte's drug war, among others.
Panelo said the poll results merely proved that majority of Filipinos continue to trust the Chief Executive, despite issues hurled against him and his administration.
"People keep on expressing their support to awaken the critics and the detractors from their slumber and/or sleep, that all the criticisms against this President relative to drugs vis-à-vis the West Philippine Sea and other issues of national interest are all wrong – no basis," he said.
"For every issue that is thrown at him with such negative force, the detractors and the opposition keep saying the rating will go down. But the more they say that, the more it goes up. If that is not a powerful language to them, I don't know what is not," Panelo added.
Asked if the Palace is confident that Duterte will maintain his high approval and satisfaction ratings until the end of his term, Panelo said, "Yes." (SunStar Philippines)