President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte during the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp program launch at the Don Bosco Youth Center in Tondo, Manila on July 18, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA — Various issues hounding Vice President Sara Duterte contributed to the drop in Duterte’s ratings in the most recent Pulse Asia Research Survey.

VP Sara Duterte's trust rating dips 12 points in November poll — Pulse Asia

According to Pulse’s survey conducted from November 26 to December 3, 2024, Duterte lost 12 points in her trust ratings from 61 percent in September to 49 percent in November.

She lost 10 points in approval rating from 60 percent in September to 50 percent in November.

Issues faced by Duterte include allegations of misuse of the confidential funds of her office and the Department of Education, which she previously led, to her supposed threat on the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., his wife First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Among the four highest officials in the country—President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House—Duterte had the biggest decline.

Pulse Asia President  Dr. Ronald Holmes said Duterte’s repeated denial of accusations hurled against her did not help.

“Ang nangyari diyan is that mag-i-issue siya ng denial pero mag-i-issue naman ng counterclaim 'yung kabila, sasabihin na hindi naman siya nagpapaliwanag. So 'yung denial ay hindi pagpapaliwanag. Maaaring may mga Pilipino na naniniwala sa kanya, maaaring may mga Pilipino naman na nagsasabi eh kinakailangan siguro bigyan mo ng mas malawak na pagpapaliwanag. So nahahati,” Holmes told ABS-CBN News.

Marcos-Duterte reconciliation unlikely despite attempts to deescalate — analyst

The ratings of Marcos and Romualdez also dipped because of being involved in political brawl, according to Holmes. 

From 50 percent in September, Marcos’ approval rating became 48 percent in November; his trust rating also from 50 percent in September, dipped to 47 percent two months later. 

Romualdez’ approval rating of 32 percent in September declined to 25 percent in November, while his trust rating of 31 percent in September became 21 percent in November.

Escudero is the only one who garnered majority approval and trust scores with 53 percent and 51 percent, respectively, although these still declined from 60 percent and 56 percent, respectively.

“May mga pahayag naman siya na hindi naman kumokontra sa kahit sino sa kanila at maaari rin na bumababa rin siya dahilan sa ang pananaw ay kaalyado siya ng administrasyon at hindi ni VP Sara,” Holmes explained about Escudero’s ratings.

He also said that past officials enjoyed higher ratings such as former Presidents Noynoy Aquino and Rodrigo Duterte, and Vice Presidents Jejomar Binay and Leni Robredo.

'LANTARAN NA'

Thus, the recent survey only goes to show that Filipinos look unfavorably on political feuds.

“Kasi nga lantaran na eh, lantaran na. Ito ay magkasama noong eleksyon, nangako na sila ay magkakaisa pero ang kinalalabasan ay hindi pa umaabot ang midterm ay nagbabanggaan na sila at medyo mas maanghang 'yung kanilang pananalita laban sa isa’t isa bagama’t ang Presidente medyo mas kalmado,” Holmes said.

This calmness, however, is to Marcos’ disadvantage, according to Holmes.

“Merong mga nagsasabi na hindi nakakatulong,” Holmes remarked. “Dapat siguro ay bigyan niya ng diin na di niya papayagan ang Bise Presidente kaya maaaring 'yung ibang tao ay inaasahan na ang Pangulo ay mas bold, mas matapang ang kanyang pananalita, bilang pagtumbas doon sa matapang na pananalita ng Bise Presidente.”

“Sa pananaw ko bilang political scientist, mahalagang komprontahin ang anomang maling ginagawa ng sinomang opisyal,” he added.

Aside from being involved in political drama, Holmes said Romualdez’ low ratings could be because of the nature of his position.

“Ang House Speaker naman isang distrito lang pinanggalingan niyan eh, hindi yan masyadong kilala sa buong bansa kaya ang pangkaraniwang rating diyan ay indecision,” the Pulse Asia official said.

In order to pull their numbers up, Marcos, Duterte, Escudero and Romualdez need to effectively respond to the pressing issues in the country, Holmes said. 

The same survey stated that a big number of Filipinos disapproved of how the government addressed inflation, poverty, graft and corruption, salary of workers, and job generation, among others.

Holmes also emphasized the need to put an end to political conflicts.

“Madumi na nga, magulo pa, talagang hindi ka makakakuha ng suporta sa publiko.”

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