Lacson on Duterte’s high trust rating: His ‘crass words’ project sincerity

President Rodrigo Duterte continues to enjoy the people’s trust and approval probably because of his “crass words” which he used to project sincerity or maybe because he is simply “teflonic.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson made the assessment when asked to comment on Duterte’s high ratings in the latest Pulse Asia survey, conducted from June 15 to 21. Duterte received an 88 percent approval rating and 87 percent trust rating.

READ: Pulse Asia’s June survey: 87% of Filipinos trust Duterte

In a text message, Lacson said, “In my long years in politics, somehow, I’ve learned two major factors that endear our country’s leaders to the people – performance and messaging, not necessarily in that order.”

“His crass language and blunt words, no matter how he delivers, come across as his tool to project sincerity. Either that, or he is simply ‘teflonic,’” Lacson added.

Teflonic is an idiom referring to a person who manages to avoid criticism and maintain a good reputation even after they have committed something wrong or controversial.

Lacson said, “That could probably the reason why the concept of transition government under the draft Charter won’t fly. Majority of Filipinos would not allow him to cut short his term to allow the election of a transition president.”

The senator was referring to the draft federal Constitution that Duterte’s Consultative Committee has submitted to Congress for deliberations.

Duterte has repeatedly said he would step down from his post once the proposed federal Charter is in place.   /vvp

READ: Duterte vows to step down once PH has working federal system by 2020