DESPITE resigning from office in December 2017, the public still trusts and is confident with former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte.
In a survey conducted by the University of Mindanao - Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO), an independent body conducting surveys about political sentiments of Dabawenyos, 58 percent or 696 out of the 1,200 respondents expressed that they still trust and have confidence in Duterte.
UM-IPO director for quantitative studies Dr. Adrian Tamayo, in a press conference Monday, at The Annex of SM City Davao, presented their latest survey that focused on the decision of former VM Duterte to resign following the controversies he was dragged particularly into the issue on the P6.5 billion drug shipment in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and heated argument with her daughter on social media.
Dabawenyos in general still have high trust for him while 42 percent have lost their confidence.
"Therefore, Paolo Duterte maintains a net political capital of 38%. This is a political capital he maintains even if he is already out of public sight. However, this may slip through his fingers if left uncared of. With a very narrow window of four percent, it will need a good machinery and effective political strategy to get back from where he has left, given all others constant," he said.
In terms of the public's support on his resignation, 34 percent who expressed their support while 54 percent consider his decision as unnecessary. There were also eight percent who are undecided and four percent with no response.
"Clearly, Dabawenyos are divided on the issue, even if it happened more than a month already," he said.
Those who supported Duterte are mostly found in District 1 (57 percent), where he resides. Also, it was found that he maintains higher popularity rating in District 2 than in District 3. The younger Duterte appeals more to males (50 percent) than the combined females (42 percent) and the LGBT (eight percent).
He maintains strong followership among aged 30 to 39 years old, and a good number of them (42 percent) belong to income Class C. Very minimal come from income Class AB (five percent) and Class E (eight percent), and earned college education (64 percent).
Meanwhile, the public see the dramatic change to have effects on the operation of the Davao City Council. There were 47 percent of the respondents who believe that the Council can still function effectively while a combined 53 percent are ambivalent. Some believe that the Council will not be the same (29 percent) after he left; others are uncertain (18 percent) while others withheld their opinion (six percent).
Meanwhile, the Presidential son expressed his gratitude to Dabawenyos for the continuing trust they give him amid the sudden turn of events and controversies wherein his name has been dragged into.
"Daghang salamat mga Dabawenyo nga padayon ang pagsalig ug pagsuporta kanako isip usa sa inyong mga lider sa siyudad (Thank you my fellow Dabawenyos for your continued support and trust to me as a leader of the city). It was my honor to have served you, and I will always be honored to continue serving you in the best possible way — even if I am out of politics," he said.
He added that the decision to resign was not easy but because of the developments, he was forced to.
"Tuguti lang ko ninyo sa makausa pa sa pagpangayo og pasensya ug gamay nga pagsabot sa akong nahimong desisyon. Dili kadto dali, apan nakabalo naman kamo sa akong rason ug sa akong kahimtang (I am asking for your patience and understanding on the decision I made. It was not easy but with situation back then, you know the reason why I had to do it)," he said.
With the result of the survey, he said that he will use this as inspiration to continue his service even as a private individual. He also encourages the public to continue to support the government in facing the challenges it will encounter along the line.
"I truly value your unwavering support and trust. While I am humbled by this, it gives me the courage and the inspiration to work and support the objectives, plans, and programs of both our local government and national government as a private individual," Duterte said.
The survey covered a total of 1,200 respondents in three congressional districts. The +/-3 margin of error was used, and conducted a month after of the resignation from January 31 to February 8.