PRRD ratings drop isn’t worrisome

MANILA - House Appropriations Committee Chairman Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles said Monday that President Rodrigo Duterte's critics are making a mountain out of an anthill as far as the drop in the Chief Executive's satisfaction and trust ratings are concerned.

"I think we shouldn't be worried because if we break down the [Social Weather Stations] survey results, putting it in context and considering the satisfaction and trust ratings of previous presidents in previous administrations, President Duterte is still doing very well," said Nograles.

"While there was obviously a drop in net satisfaction and trust numbers, the difference is not that huge especially when viewed from the standpoint of gross figures instead of net figures," he pointed out.

Duterte recorded a gross satisfaction rating of 67 percent in September, while his gross trust rating

was higher at 73 percent.

"That's certainly not bad given the challenges that President Duterte has faced recently, particularly the extended war against the Maute terror group in Marawi and the declaration of martial law which he had no choice but to maintain in Mindanao," stressed the Davao solon.

"He's still very popular and well trusted in Mindanao, although in other areas nag-lower siya ng konti. But Mindanao remains to be a stronghold of the President. In that context, the administration critics' pronouncement of President Duterte's severely weakening popularity doesn't make sense," he added.

Speaking of Mindanao, Nograles said the President's rise in net satisfaction rating (75 percent to 76 percent) for the region in the September SWS survey also bodes well for the administration.

"It means that President Duterte continues to do a good job in what is supposedly the toughest region to administer."

Nograles also chided administration critics for blaming the Chief Executive for "seasonal" headaches of Filipinos, specifically the rising price of fuel and other basic commodities this Christmas season. PR