MANILA, Philippines — A majority of Filipinos believe President Duterte is “better” than his predecessor, former president Benigno Aquino III, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

Based on the survey, which was reported by dzBB, 70 percent of respondents believe Duterte has performed better than Aquino. Only eight percent said Aquino was better than Duterte.

The SWS asked the respondents in the survey: “Kung ikukumpara ang pag-ganap ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa kanyang tungkulin mula Hulyo 2016 sa pagkaganap ni dating pangulong Aquino mula Hulyo 2010 hanggang Hulyo 2016, masasabi n’yo ba na PRRD is better, the same, PNoy is better?” (Comparing the performance of President Rodrigo Duterte from July 2016 to former president Aquino’s from July 2010 to July 2016, would you say PRRD is better, the same, PNoy is better)?”

Duterte received highest approval from those in his home region Mindanao at 86 percent; followed by Metro Manila at 73; Luzon at 63; and the Visayas at 64.

Aquino, on the other hand, obtained approval scores of 10 percent in Metro Manila, followed by Luzon and the Visayas both at nine percent; and Mindanao at three.

The survey also found a majority of Filipinos or 69 percent claiming that Duterte’s actions are appropriate for his position as President.

The question was, “Sa kabuuan, ang mga kilos ba ni Pangulong Duterte ay angkop o hindi angkop sa isang Pangulo?” (In sum, are the actions of President Duterte appropriate for his position as President)?

One in 10 or 13 percent of those surveyed were undecided while 18 percent said his actions were inappropriate.

In an e-mail to The STAR, Leo Laroza, director of the SWS Communications and Information Technology section, said the SWS has not made any recent release regarding Philippine presidents other than its report on Dec. 22 last year.

The survey was reportedly conducted by SWS from Dec. 8 to 16 last year.

Aquino’s legacy

Liberal Party (LP) lawmakers, however, disagreed, as they believe that nothing beats the daang matuwid (straight path) legacy of former president Aquino.

They insist that the only son of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino is still the best president the country has ever had.

“PNoy achieved legacies that no popularity ratings can surpass – a vibrant and resilient economy which had rebounded from its moribund state, starting peace talks, universal health coverage, K-12, (bottom up budgeting, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program),” lone Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat pointed out.

According to the LP stalwart, who is one of the so-called “Magnificent 7” independent-opposition bloc in the House of Representatives, “history will judge (Aquino) better, I’m sure,” he said with confidence.

“President Aquino, despite several controversies in his term such as (the Mamasapano clash, Priority Development Assistance Fund, and Disbursement Acceleration Program) imbroglio – still managed to achieve the highest average trust ratings of any President,” Baguilat declared.

“Duterte might eventually surpass PNoy’s historical average trust ratings over the course of his term, but what’s more important is not popularity but whether the high trust ratings would translate into strong legacies,” he said. –Delon Porcalla