Duterte’s drop in satisfaction rating a wake-up call — CBCP

MANILA, Philippines — The 11 percent drop in his net satisfaction rating should serve as a wake-up call for President Duterte, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said yesterday.

According to CBCP Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) chairman Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos, the results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey were not surprising because Duterte’s recent words and actions go against the nature of Filipinos.

Duterte has been under fire for his statements involving God that were deemed by many sectors as blasphemous. Killings under his watch also continue – some linked to Duterte’s anti-drug war and the culture of violence and impunity that he promoted with his policies. 

“Filipinos are very polite people, very respectful to God and elders. His (Duterte’s) words are abusive and offensive... And these do not suit well to the upbringing of our children and young people,” Santos said.

“Filipinos protect and promote life, they work hard and do sacrifices for the life of their loved ones. Unfortunately, precious lives are being lost to summary executions,” Santos added.

To make people’s lives better, Santos said there must be respect for life and human rights.

“To protect life is to make us live in peace,” he said.

Santos believes Duterte should use the recent survey results as a basis for him to assess his past actions. 

“It is not surprising, but now trending. This drop in the net satisfaction is his wake-up call to… review his words and actions, and to have a change of heart,” Santos said. 

He added the drop in satisfaction rating was a verdict of the Filipinos and a sign that the President and other elected officials must do more, “give more and serve more, which they failed to do.”

The SWS survey conducted from June 27 to 30 showed that Duterte’s satisfaction rating was only +45 “good” compared to the +56 “very good” rating last March.  

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes admitted that he was pleased to hear about the SWS survey showing that there is a growing dissatisfaction over Duterte’s style of governance.

He said the results were a reflection that the people were displeased with his blasphemy against the Church and God.  

“This drop in the net satisfaction of Duterte is happy news. I am not surprised because his statements against God, criticism of the Holy Bible, insults against the Church, suspicious murder of priests have become unbearable for Filipinos who are deeply religious at heart,” Bastes said. 

“If God is his enemy, he divinizes himself, which we Filipinos cannot tolerate,” Bastes said.