Duterte pulling down Sara’s approval ratings – analyst

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte is pulling down his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte’s approval ratings, a political analyst said yesterday.

In an interview with “Storycon” on One News, Publicus Asia’s founder and chief executive officer Malou Tiquia said the decrease in approval rating of Sara in the recent survey conducted by Publicos emanated from three issues involving the elder Duterte.

“Everything has to do with the political climate. You have to understand that Duterte is a shared brand. Whatever one said, it will affect, influence the incumbent who (at this time) is the Vice President and DepEd secretary,” Tiquia said.

The polling chief cited a survey question where respondents were asked “what are the pressing national issues affecting the overall performance of the Vice President?”

“All of the top three involved her father. Number one, inclusion of Vice President Sara in the accused in the International Circuit Court case, 24 percent; 26 percent in former president Duterte accusing President Marcos Jr. of taking drugs; then the congressional investigation on the so-called gentleman’s agreement (on South China Sea status quo), 16 percent,” Tiquia said.

She said that questions 4, 5 and 6 in the Publicos survey involved the Vice President’s work, including her being secretary of the Department of Education.

The survey was conducted from June 15-19, before Sara’s resignation from DepEd.

“We did not tackle the resignation because she has not resigned yet. But we asked if Sara has to resign – 66 percent were saying no, do not resign,” Tiquia said.

Tiquia said that Sara’s decline in approval rating is unlikely to continue, having given up the education portfolio.

“The burden was removed…it will not affect the approval, now it will be on the approval of her as Vice President only, not as DepEd secretary anymore,” Tiquia said.

Tiquia said it was not yet clear whether Sara will run for president in the 2028 elections or if she will lead the opposition.

She said a lot of it remains speculative.

“Between now and October, the situation will be very fluid. It will depend on who among the Dutertes will run” and for what post, she said, referring to the filing for candidacy three months away.

“It will depend on what her plans are in 2028. In 2025, I heard she is not endorsing national candidates. It seems like local candidates only,” Tiquia said, adding statements to media are like a “trial balloon.”