Pulse Asia: Duterte retains 'big majority' approval, trust ratings

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s has retained his big majority approval and trust ratings despite public outrage over alleged police abuse in his brutal drug war and allegations of hidden wealth, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey.

In its Ulat ng Bayan national survey conducted from September 24 to 30 via face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults, Pulse Asia found 80 percent of respondents having big trust and 6 percent having small trust in Duterte while 14 percent were undecided.

The biggest trust scores for Duterte came from his home region of Mindanao at 93 percent and from respondents who belong to class E at 85 percent.

Meanwhile, another 80 percent of those surveyed said they approve of Duterte while 7 percent expressed their disapproval.

Respondents from Mindanao at class E gave Duterte his hightest approval ratings at 92 percent and 86 percent, respectively.

Pulse Asia’s poll came after Duterte suffered an 18-point plunge in his net satisfaction rating for the third quarter of this year, based on the September 23 to 27 survey conducted by polling firm Social Weather Stations. According to SWS president Mahar Mangahas, the drop in Duterte's ratings is faster than average against his predecessors.

READ: Duterte sees 18-point drop in satisfaction rating | SWS president: Duterte ratings dip normal but faster than average

Among the news items when both Pulse Asia and SWS conducted their surveys were the death of minors in the hands of Caloocan City cops that triggered public anger, as well as the latest claims of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV regarding Duterte’s alleged questionable wealth.

Robredo, Pimentel's trust, approval ratings remains; indecision ‘plural’ for Sereno, Alvarez

The same Pulse Asia poll also showed Vice President Leni Robredo also enjoying majority approval and trust scored, although a tad lower than the preceding survey.

According to the polling group, 55 percent of those surveyed have big trust for Robredo while 27 percent have small trust and 19 percent were undecided. Majority of those who trust the vice president came from Visayas at 67 percent and class E at 65 percent.

Meanwhile, Robredo’s approval ratings registered at 57 percent in September while 17 percent do not approve of her. Those from Visayas and class E gave Robredo her highest approval scores at 70 percent and 62 percent, respectively.

Also enjoying majority approval and trust scores, albeit lower ones, was Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III at 55 percent and 52 percent, respectively.

On the other hand, big pluralities to near majorities are ambivalent concerning the work and trustworthiness of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez (47 percent and 49 percent, respectively) and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes A. Sereno (43 percent and 44 percent, respectively).