By Fernan Angeles
MALACAÑANG warded off criticisms over the most recent Pulse Asia report that saw the President garnering a whopping 91 percent approval rating.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque attributed the President’s high approval rating in a recent opinion poll to his pandemic response and their desire for a “strong leader.”
Roque said that the administration’s “record-breaking” P200-billion cash aid during the health crisis, on top of assistance under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the small business subsidy program, significantly contributed to the high approval rating.
“Napakalaki talagang halaga na galing sa kaban ng bayan ang ibinigay natin sa ating mga kababayan sa panahon ng pandemya. Ang Pilipino, napakagaling po iyang tumanaw ng utang na loob,” the Palace mouthpiece was quoted as saying in a radio interview.
“Pangalawa po, psychologically, sa panahon ng pandemya, gusto nilang tumingala sa isang leader na malakas. Ayaw nila iyong wishy-washy, kumbaga. Gusto nila, isang direksyon lang at ibinigay na nila iyong pananampalataya nila sa lider nila na gagawin ang dapat gawin,” he added.
The public also knows that Duterte is “focused” on the pandemic, he said.
“Si Presidente naman, talagang totoo iyan. Wala iyang manufactured charisma, wala ‘yang manufactured personality,” said Roque.
A Pulse Asia survey released Monday showed the approval ratings of Duterte and Robredo at 91 percent and 57 percent, respectively, in September.
The COVID-19 pandemic has stricken over 324,000 in the Philippines as of Monday, the country with the highest incidence in Southeast Asian despite having one of the longest lockdowns in the world.
Government is counting on a vaccine to put a stop to the virus spread.