Palace on new SWS poll result drop: Nothing unusual

FILE: Newly-appointed Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. holds his first press briefing in Malacañan on November 2, 2017. He told the members of the media that he is vowed to fulfill President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s order to do what is best for the country and to tell the truth. (VALERIE ESCALERA/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

Malacañang on Sunday described the consecutive drops of the percentage of Filipinos expecting the President to fulfill most, if not all, of his promises as “nothing unusual.”

“We find nothing unusual in the drop of those who expect that he would fulfill his promises as the euphoria of the elections normally wears off after a year in office and people become more realistic on what the government can deliver,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Roque further said that this has been a trend even in the previous administrations.

The new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey fielded on September 23-27 found that out of 1500 adults nationwide, 35% are expecting President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to fulfill most, if not all, of his promises.

Respondents were asked to answer the question, “Sa inyong palagay, ilan sa mga pangako ni Pang. Rody Duterte ang posibleng matutupad? [In your opinion, how many of the promises of Pres. Rody Duterte can be fulfilled?]”

The choices were “Lahat o halos lahat sa mga pangako, karamihan sa mga pangako, mga ilan sa mga pangako, at halos wala o wala sa mga pangako [All or nearly all of the promises, Most of the promises, A few of the promises, and Almost none or none of the promises].”

About 8% believe all or nearly all of his promises can be fulfilled, and 27% believe most promises can be fulfilled. This was a 17-point drop compared to the 52% he got last March 2017.

“It was 63% (22% all or nearly all, 41% most) when first asked in June 2016, and 56% (15% all or nearly all, 41% most) in September 2016,” SWS said.

“What matters is Filipinos remain satisfied when they gave the current administration a ‘very good’ over-all performance rating at +58, as reflected in the same survey,” Roque continued.

Regardless of the results, Roque said that the government and its people will still continue to work hard.