7 in 10 Filipinos trust Robredo, OK her performance

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo got an approval rating of 66% and a trust rating of 65% in the latest survey of Pulse Asia released on Friday, October 21. 

She is the 2nd best performer among top leaders in the Philippines, based on the poll, following President Rodrigo Duterte who received 86% approval and trust ratings.

The President’s ratings were released earlier by Pulse Asia, on October 12. Friday’s release included the ratings of Robredo, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

The same survey showed said there’s no majority approval for Alvarez and Sereno.

The survey was conducted from September 25 to October 1, while the House of Representatives was conducting hearings on alleged drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison and the supposed involvement of Senator Leila De Lima. 

Across areas and classes

Robredo recorded majority approval across geographical areas and socio-economic classes. It is highest in Duterte’s home region Mindanao, where she recorded 69% approval ratings. It is lowest in the country’s capital NCR, where she recorded 58%. 

She got 67% approval ratings in Balance Luzon and 66% in the Visayas. 

Only 9% disapproved of Robredo’s performance, but 24% said they were undecided. Only 10% said they had “little trust” in Robredo, but 24% were also undecided. 

In comparison, only 3% had “little trust” in and disapproved of Duterte’s performance.

The survey was conducted when defeated vice-presidential candidate Senator Alan Cayetano accused Robredo’s Liberal Party (LP) of plotting to unseat Duterte. Robredo and LP denied this. 

Cayetano made the allegation after a Senate whistleblower tied Duterte to the notorious “Davao Death Squad” that is blamed for the spate of killings in Davao City. 

The poll surveyed 1,200 respondents from September 25 to October 1. It has an error margin of 3%. 

Robredo’s trust ratings reflected the same pattern. It is highest in Mindanao (71%) and lowest in the NCR (55%). She recorded 65% in Balance Luzon and 66% in the Visayas. 

The relationship between the countrys’ two top leaders is controversial because the President and his allies don’t trust Robredo’s Liberal Party, the former ruling party led by his predecessor President Benigno Aquino III.  

Duterte appointed Robredo housing czar but only after calls to include her in his Cabinet. It was the same position occupied by former Vice President Jejomar Binay in the past administration.

No majoriy approval for Speaker, Chief Justice

Pulse Asia also asked respondents to rate the performances of Pimentel, Alvarez, and Sereno. 

Pimentel got majority approval in both performance (61%) and trust (55%) surveys. His approval rating is lowest in the Visayas where he got 49%. He recorded majority approval in other geographical areas and all socio-economic classes. 

He got his highest trust rating in his home region Mindanao (62%). He is trusted by 55% in NCR, 51% in Balance Luzon, and 55% in the Visayas. 

But Alvarez and Sereno failed to get majority approval in both questions.

Alvarez recorded 43% approval ratings and 41% trust ratings. Sereno recorded 46% approval ratings and 44% trust ratings. 

Only 75% of the respondent knew who Alvarez is while 86% knew who Sereno is.

Alvarez recorded his lowest approval ratings in the Visayas (33%) and the country’s capital NCR (34%). Mindanao, which gave him 63% approval, improved his national average. He recorded 43% in Balance Luzon. 

Alvarez is also least trusted in NCR (27%). He is trusted by 38% in Balance Luzon, 52% in the Visayas, and 59% in Mindanao. 

The survey was conducted while the House held hearings to expose De Lima’s alleged ties to drug syndicates inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Sereno also recorded her highest approval ratings in Mindanao (51%). She failed to get majority approval in NCR (46%), Balance Luzon (45%), and the Visayas (42%).

Sereno also recorded her highest trust ratings in Mindanao (53%). She is trusted by 36% in NCR, 44% in Balance Luzon, and 41% in the Visayas. – Rappler.com