PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has maintained excellent trust and approval ratings among top government officials in his first year in office. This is a feat considering how negatively he was portrayed by media around the world for his unrelenting initiatives to rid the country of illegal drugs, crime and corruption.
Despite his critics, 80 percent of Filipinos had “much trust” for the president, while 10 percent expressed “little trust” and 11 percent were “undecided,” according to the latest poll conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).
By being the most traveled Philippine president in his first year, Duterte fostered strong relationships with various world leaders, which also resulted in people-to-people relationships. Not to mention, he was named the chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
While he almost severed ties with the U.S. and the European Union (EU) — by initiating an independent foreign policy — the president still managed to make unlikely allies in China and Russia.
More than the improved ties with other nations, Duterte has also brought home P35 billion in his sojourns. These are not just investments pledges because the actual signings of purchase orders are already taking place.
Preparations are already underway for his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) next month, where he is expected to list all of his administration’s achievements after just one year in office.
In past administrations, Filipinos were generally disappointed when most promises comprised in the past leaders’ SONA, never saw the light.
However, in this current government, Filipinos are witnessing a growing economy that is benefiting from reforms in governance and transparency. The nation also achieved gains in terms of reducing prospects for corruption, improved public service, decreasing crime rate, among others.
Because of these changes, Senate Pres. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III believes that the president has fulfilled his campaign promise that “change is coming,” particularly in the areas of foreign relations and peace and order.
“We’ve felt so many changes… The world believes that we have an independent foreign policy. We are no longer being dictated by other countries. We determine our own course in international affairs,” he said.
Pimentel gave the president a grade of 8.5 to nine for his performance in his first year.
“To our President, keep on doing what you have been doing. Surveys have been saying that the people appreciate what you have been doing. There are also negative statements, but this is a democracy,” he said.
Duterte is expected by every Filipino — and even foreign observers — to give a more coherent and appropriate address befitting the current socio-economic and political situation in the country. And because ordinary citizens offer limited interest in statistics, the president must also draw a clear outline of how he wants to achieve the nation’s goals, while working with his constituents to move forward.
With still five years left in office, more tangible and reliable results of what his leadership is all about are yet to be seen. (AJPress)
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