The reality of “vice president” Leni Robredo’s lack of leadership chops is catching up with her as the latest poll results show.
The SWS survey results for June 2019 showed Robredo having a net satisfaction rating of plus 28, down 14 points from plus 42 in March 2019. In Pulse Asia, the Vice President’s approval rating was 55 percent.
The plunge in the proportion of sampled Filipinos “satisfied” with Robredo’s performance could reflect a creeping negative sentiment about her as she consistently exhibits incoherence and a lack of conviction in her official messaging. Filipinos generally want words that demonstrate decisiveness and project authority. It is evident that Robredo and the persona she fronts to the public lacks all those things.
It is therefore likely that part of the fall in her ratings could be accounted for by supporters who may have since changed their opinion of her. In short, Robredo’s support base could be eroding in both sentiment and numbers.
Not surprisingly, Robredo’s office dismisses the poll results. According to her spokesperson Barry Gutierrez, “the appearance of a decline in Robredo’s satisfaction rating based on results of a new survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) was all that—appearance.”
“You have to distinguish between the Pulse approach and the SWS approach,” Gutierrez said. “Pulse just releases approval, indifferent—undecided—and disapproval. SWS creates a net,” Gutierrez said at an interview at Robredo’s Quezon City reception office.
Blah blah blah.
Tough luck, right? The shortest and simplest explanation is usually the one likely to be the right one.
Webmaster of Get Real Philippines