President Rodrigo Duterte is the most approved and most trusted among the last four presidents of the Philippines, based on a survey by Pulse Asia. From September 2016 to September 2017, President Duterte got the highest average performance approval rating of 81.8 
percent, and highest average trust rating of 82.8 percent between July 2016 and July 2017.
Based on a more recent survey by Pulse Asia, President Duterte earned an all-time high approval rating of 80 percent, and an all-time high trust rating of 82 percent at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017. The trust rating during this period increased by 2 percent from 80 percent in Q3 2017, while the approval rating was retained at 80 percent.
But while these numbers are impressive, we cannot deny the fact that high approval and trust ratings of the President do not automatically equate to an efficient and effective government.
Almost two years into his term, the President has been hands-on with his campaign against illegal drugs, which is translating into good results. However, I constantly remind the President that there are equally important concerns to be addressed in other sectors, such as in agriculture, education, health, transportation, and social welfare. The President, generally, is doing a good job; however, what can upset his performance is the failure of his Cabinet members to perform their duties accordingly. The Cabinet members must be mindful of their actions and decisions because those are deemed as that of the President’s.
Given the President’s strong anti-drug stance, I am perplexed that the Department of Justice issued a decision that dismissed the drug charges against self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, Cebu businessman and drug lord Peter Lim, and 20 other drug suspects. Should we interpret this as the President’s decision as well? The Secretary of Justice, in several interviews, has repeatedly said that this decision was leaked. I wonder if this decision was supposed to be kept from the public. To be fair, this decision is not yet final, and will be subject to review by the SOJ. A panel will also be convened to review the decision, where the parties will be allowed to present additional evidence for review. I am curious if this is the same procedure of the DOJ in all its other cases. I am not a lawyer but I don’t think, on review, it is appropriate to add evidence already existing at the time the first complaint was filed. In the end of the day, we just want matters to be rectified, and justice be served.
Another pressing issue is Boracay Island’s degradation. This representation, over a year ago, has already called the attention of the administration to determine the extent of the pollution affecting the island. However, it is only now that this problem is being addressed. Had this issue been acted upon with urgency by the concerned agencies, the problem would have not gotten worse. Now, Boracay is being threatened by closure, to the detriment of investors, employees, residents, and tourists. This closure of the island would cause around P56 billion in losses for our economy. I wonder if the concerned agencies would have given this timely attention to the matter had they not been prompted by the President.
Cabinet members must be reminded that they have a big responsibility in making the Duterte administration a successful one. Once again, we call on the President to review the fitness of his all the members of his Executive family to determine, whether or not they possess the integrity to fulfill their duties with accountability, transparency, and solely for the betterment of Filipino people.
As the Minority Leader, and member of the Congress, expect that I will exercise my oversight function to ensure that the government agencies are moving toward the right direction.
