For doubting Duterte’s satisfaction rating, Palace calls Trillanes ‘incorrigible illusionist’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Sunday slammed opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV ‘s “insatiable lust for publicity” for casting doubt on the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that more Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of President Duterte.

“This latest statement from the senator has demonstrated that he is an incorrigible illusionist who has believed in his own tales. His created web of lies on PRRD has so engulfed him that he forgets he is its creator,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“His insatiable lust for publicity is incredible. His pathetic political analysis has only validated the suspicion that he threads in the realm of illusion,” he added.

In a statement on Saturday, Trillanes, one of Duterte’s staunchest critics, expressed his disbelief on the results of the SWS survey, which showed that 74 percent of adult Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of the Chief Executive. This was four points up from the 70 percent recorded last September.

READ: Trillanes belittles SWS survey on higher Duterte rating

Panelo lamented that when the survey shows a decline in Duterte’s acceptance, Trillanes “crows about it and brandishes it as a beginning of the end” of the President’s popularity.

“But when Duterte’s rating bounces back, he discredits it as a consequence of sampling errors or that the survey respondents are in fear of the President,” he added.

The Palace official also mentioned Trillanes’ interview with British public service broadcaster BBC where “he arrogantly predicted that the President’s popularity would plunge in view of the negative issues raised against him.”

Panelo said the senator’s “foray at political forecasting was a dismal failure just like his failed rebellion against the government. /ee