FILE PHOTO: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte arrives with daughter and first lady Sara Duterte-Carpio to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan October 22, 2019. Carl Court/Pool via REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines — Results of the latest Pulse Asia’s 2022 polls survey that showed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and President Rodrigo Duterte topping the list of presidential and vice-presidential bets show that Filipinos still believe in the President’s leadership despite the flak from his critics, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Palace is thanking the public for supporting the President and his daughter.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa tiwala ng taong bayan na binigay kay President at kay Mayor Sara Duterte,” he said in a Palace briefing
(We are thankful for the support of the people for the President and Mayor Sara Duterte.)
“‘Yan ay nagpapakita na kahit ano pang ipukol ng mga kritiko ni Presidente laban sa kanya ay patuloy pa rin nagtitiwala at naniniwala ang sambayanang Pilipino sa liderato ni President Duterte,” Roque added.
(That shows that whatever dirt his critics throw at the President, the public still believes in his leadership.)
Based on the survey conducted with 2,400 respondents from June 7 to 16, Duterte-Carpio was the most preferred presidential candidate with 28 percent of the respondents saying they would vote for her if the elections were held on the day they were interviewed.
She is followed by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso at 14%, and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, at 13%.
Meanwhile, President Duterte was the top choice for vice president with 18% of respondents saying they would vote for him. He is followed by Moreno at 14%.
President Duterte earlier said he is “sold to the idea” of running as vice president in the 2022 polls, but believes that his future successor should be a “friend” who he can work with.
He also said he can already be considered a candidate for vice president in the 2022 polls “to maintain equilibrium.
The President has also repeatedly said he is against the idea of his daughter, Duterte-Carpio, running for president.
Duterte-Carpio’s regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) earlier said she may not run for president should her father seek the vice presidency.