MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 2 – 7:47 p.m.) In the face of the controversies hounding his administration, President Rodrigo Duterte enjoys the trust and approval of 80 percent of Filipinos, the results of a recent survey by polling firm Pulse Asia showed.

The results of the Ulat ng Bayan made public Friday, October 13, tended to refute the findings of another recent poll, by the Social Weather Stations, which had Duterte’s net satisfaction rating plunging by 18 points from +66 in June to +48 in September.

Welcoming the survey results, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella issued this statement:

“We hope this survey inspires us in the government, that despite the odds and challenges, we continue to provide a comfortable life for the Filipinos in an environment free from illegal drugs and criminality. This is the way we return the overwhelming trust and support of our people.”

“Most Filipinos continue to approve of and trust President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo, and Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel III,” Pulse Asia said, while “indecision is the plurality sentiment toward the performance and trustworthiness of House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes A. Sereno.”

Duterte enjoyed equal 80 percent approval and trust ratings.

Robredo, on the other hand, had a 57 percent approval and a 55 percent trust rating, Pimentel, 55 percent approval and 52 percent trust.

“On the other hand, big pluralities to near majorities are ambivalent concerning the work and trustworthiness” of Alvarez (47 percent approval and 49 percent trust) and Sereno (43 percent approval and 44 percent trust).

BY GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CLASS:

Pulse Asia’s non-commissioned survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults from September 24 to 30 and has a ± 3% error margin at the 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for each of the geographic areas covered in the survey (Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) have a ± 6% error margin, also at 95% confidence level.

Among the notable events before and during the survey were the “National Day of Protest” on September 21, the 45th anniversary of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of martial law; the Senate probe into the P6.4-billion “shabu” smuggling scandal that saw Duterte’s son Paolo, vice mayor of Davao City, and son-in-law Mans Carpio fending off allegations they led a smuggling ring; and the trip of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to Singapore to debunk Duterte’s claims he had bank accounts there. (with a report from Dale de Vera, News5)