TIME poll shows widespread support for Duterte’s agenda of real change

Early TIME online survey results on the world’s most influential people showed Duterte garnering 4 percent of the votes, leading other prominent figures such as the Pope and Facebook founder Zuckerberg with 3 percent each. (Photo: TIME/ Facebook)

MANILA–Malacañang on Monday welcomed a TIME Magazine online poll on the world’s most influential people which showed President Rodrigo Duterte leading early results, saying it only attests to the strong support of Filipinos to his agenda of real change.

“We note that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has been included in TIME magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential persons in the world. President Duterte is grateful to the Filipino people all over the world for their support for him and his agenda of real change in Philippine society,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

Early TIME online survey results on the world’s most influential people showed Duterte garnering 4 percent of the votes, leading other prominent figures such as the Pope and Facebook founder Zuckerberg with 3 percent each.

President Duterte likewise leads Russian President Vladimir Putin and Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; Microsoft founder Bill Gates; and British actress Emma Watson who also got 3 percent each in the early voting.

In the meantime, US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are at 2 percent.

But despite the recognition, the Malacañang official said the President’s only ambition is to serve the interest of the country and its people.

“As a public servant he serves the nation faithfully and without any thought of receiving any distinction. For him, the presidency begins and ends with public interest,” Abella said.