72 percent of Filipinos worried about Duterte’s health — SWS

MANILA, Philippines — Seventy-two percent of Filipinos revealed that they are worried about President Rodrigo Duterte’s health, Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) 2019 Fourth Quarter survey showed on Tuesday.

The poll said of the 72 percent, 25 percent said they worry at a “great deal” about the President’s health while 47 percent they are somewhat worried.

The SWS said this was similar to June 2019’s survey where 74 percent of Filipinos expressed worry while 26 percent were not worried about the 74-year-old leader’s health.

The December 2019 poll also showed that 28 percent are not worried about Duterte’s health. Of which, 15 percent were somewhat not worried while 13 percent were not worried at all.

Meanwhile, 61 percent of Filipinos believed that Duterte’s health should be a public matter while 37 percent said the President’s health is a private matter.

The December 2019 survey asked: “Gaano po kayo nababahala na magkaroon ng mga problema sa kalusugan si Pang. Rodrigo Duterte? Kayo po ba ay… (SHOWCARD: Talagang nababahala; Medyo nababahala; Medyo hindi nababahala o talahang hindi nababahala)?”

[How worried are you that Pres. Rodrigo Duterte have health problems? Are you… (SHOWCARD: Worried a great deal; Somewhat worried; Not too worried or not worried at all)?]”

The SWS interviewed 1,200 Filipinos aged 18 years old and above nationwide. Of the number, 300 were interviewed in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The survey, conducted from Dec. 13 to Dec. 16, 2019, used sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the SWS said.

In 2019, Duterte’s state of health became a bigger issue because of his continued absence in public events, which was heightened after a motorcycle accident on Oct. 16.

Overall, Duterte missed at least eight public engagements last year reportedly due to issues with his health.

Edited by JPV