Duterte's 100 days: Filipinos in UAE think he is 'very good'

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been in office for only 100 days, but it feels like he's been at the helm for more than a year with all the headline-grabbing attention he has been getting the past three months.

Although he has been receiving a lot of criticism internationally for his campaign against illegal drugs, which has claimed more than 3,000 lives, and his expletive-laden remarks against the UN, EU and US (he recently told President Obama, 'you can go to hell'), Duterte continues to enjoy strong support from his constituents back home.
 A recent poll released on Thursday by Manila-based Social Weather Stations revealed that "76 per cent of 1,200 adults polled (in the Philippines) were satisfied with Duterte's performance; 11 per cent were dissatisfied, and 13 per cent were undecided. There was a margin of error of three percentage points."
In the UAE, 85 per cent of registered Filipino voters selected him in a five-way contest to the presidency in May and they continue to show their support to the 16th Philippine president despite reports of low confidence from foreign investors and the value of the Philippine currency dropping to a seven-year low.
Khaleej Times readers rated Duterte's first 100 days, and his net rating can be described as "very good".
Eman Ruth Sigundo-Alkharki
Rating: 10/10
"It would be too early to say what he did wrong as he's just in his first 100 days. But news from relatives back home tell only of praises for the current government. I believe he is a man of principle and is not dictated upon, especially by the US. It would be difficult to let someone bow against his will. The president is among the few leaders I have seen who stands up against the US. I was not able to vote for him unfortunately, but I agree with his priority of cleaning up the country of corruption and criminality."
Dredd Joseph
Rating: 9.5/10
"I don't see anything wrong with Duterte's words and actions except that he really has to tone it down a little bit as it has been creating a lot of negative feedback. But I definitely fully support his campaign to clean up the Philippines of corruption and illegal drugs. I also admire Duterte's assertion of our national sovereignty, telling other countries, especially the US, not to treat us as mendicants, who are always work at their pleasure. The next thing he must work on is to create more jobs for Filipinos back home."
Uella Marcial
Rating: 9/10
"I like him for his bravery and frankness. He has done more for the Filipinos than the previous president. Duterte extended the olive branch of peace to communist and Moro rebels; he has set up centralised complaint and action hotlines.... President Duterte is misunderstood for his deadpan with and wry humor. If I may say so, the Philippines is like a boat riddled with holes, and those against Duterte are putting more holes into it instead of helping to keep the boat afloat."
Darwin Grafil
Rating: 9/10
"Things he has done right: improvement of some government services -  I've noticed this during my last vacation; government staff have become more courteous. Regarding his war on drugs, I think it's nasty but it's for the good. Wrong thing he has done: having a foul mouth but I think it is in the context of being patriotic as he just expressing his disappointment over US intrusion in our domestic issues. I did not vote for him but I like the 'radical' change he is doing in our country."
Milo Torres
Rating: 8.5/10
"We all know that it is wrong to curse especially in public. But Duterte's campaign on illegal drugs and cleaning up of the bureaucracy is right on the mark. Previous administations failed to do what he has done. The surrender of almost one million drug users is a big proof that he is doing right. As an OFW, my only wish is that he continue and strengthen his campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption so when it's time for us to go home, we will feel safer back in the Philippines. He can also establish an OFW bank and an OFW hospital."
Roy Tamano
Rating: 8/10
"Digong (Duterte's nickname) has set the blueprint for change in our country. His leadership style is quite unique and he is a tough leader who talks from his heart. I am proud to say that we didn't have any regrets campaigning hard for him. He worked to address many of our concerns and he should focus on his vision of bringing back our country's old glory. In my decade long stay here in Dubai, I wish him to do his best within the limit of his capacity and under the laws, stay safe and continue what he started."
Kyrie Villaluz
Rating: 8/10
"I admire his no-nonsense anti-illegal drug campaign. There will always be casualties on whichever action the government will take but I'm contented this time because most of them are drug related. So, if he can wipe out 90 per cent of the drug dependents, the next government will only have 10 per cent to solve. On his cursing, words does not make a man patriotic or unpatriotic but his action. I rather have a foul-mouthed president who gets the ob done than a lazy and selfish suave statesman. Duterte should carry on with his momentum."
Atty. Barney Almazar
Rating: 8/10
"Action speaks louder than words. I do not subscribe to Theodore Roosevelt's dictum "speak softly and carry a big stick." The western media do not know Pres. Duterte but he is patriotic and he will serve and protect the interest of our people and country. He has the highest rating compared to any previous presidents and the public agree with what he is doing. Like all overseas Filipinos, I wish for a better life in the Philippines."
Kristie Mae Ancheta Templa-Gonzales
Rating: 7/10
"I admire Duterte for the trust he has given to left-leaning organisations, who are very sincere in working for the uplift of the poor in our country. He has appointed credible cabinet members in the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agrarian Reform and others. He ordered for the immediate repatriation of Filipinos who lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia. My only criticism is that he has to watch his mouth and avoid sexist remarks and foul words, especially when he is addressing the public."
Bethany Galendo
Rating: 7/10
"Pres. Duterte has done a lot of good things in his first 100 days in office. I'm proud to say that I voted for him and one of the things I like is his being pro-OFW but the only problem is that he has attracted several controversies with his pronouncements.  Some members of the press, however, are just sensationalizing his statements. He should reduce granting interviews or making publics announcements and concentrate more on working against crime and corruption. And also work for the benefit of OFWs by conducting many important programs like financial literacy."
Nhel Morona
Rating: 6.5/10
"Upon taking office, Duterte has immediately shown his concern for the poor. He has set up emergency hotlines and complaint desks to curb corruption. He has also immediately addressed the plight of stranded Filipino workers abroad. His other big achievements were the re-opening of peace talks with communists and Moro rebels and his assertion of Philippine sovereignty as he has shown his defiance against the US. But his fight against illegal drugs is not just a police problem that can be solved by killing every drug addict and pushe; he must address and solve socio-economic problems that cause it."
Susan Francisco
Rating: 6/10
"The only problem with Duterte is that he is sometimes too bold and brash that it seems to encourage the use of extra-judicial means. I did not vote for him but I like his strong style of leadership. With regards to western governments, they should not interfere with our internal affairs. Duterte is right in asserting our sovereignty but he can be more diplomatic in dealing with them. My challenge for Duterte in the rest of this term is to stop illegal recruitment of Filipinos to work abroad."