Duterte 'humbled' by SWS survey result

Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao

DAVAO CITY - Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte thanked his supporters after he topped a privately commissioned survey of Social Weather Stations (SWS).

"I am humbled by the decision of majority of the people," he said.

The tough-talking mayor vowed that if he will be given a chance to be the president of the Philippines, he will be faithful to his oath of office and will make good on all his promises to the people.

However, Duterte did not know that a Davaoeño businessman, William Lima, commissioned the survey.

When asked about the question on the validity of the survey, Duterte said he doesn't care if his rivals won't believe it and said he will accept the result even if he got the lowest percentage.

Several political opponents, such as Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, have questioned the phrasing of the of question in the survey.

Meanwhile, Duterte held a Christmas party for persons with disabilities at Davao City Recreation on Monday afternoon.

More than a thousand PWDs received early Christmas gifts from the local government of Davao City.

PWDs said they are happy that Duterte, a Davaoeño and mayor for more than 20 years, has decided to run for president. They hope Duterte will give priority to the PWDs so that they can find permanent jobs.

Meanwhile, Duterte's running mate, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, also weighed in on the SWS survey, where he placed third.

"Alam mo yung survey, litrato lang yan kung ano ang sentimyento ng mga tao ngayon. So maganda ang survey, pinupuri, pag pangit tinitira. Normal lang sa tao yun. Pero marami pa naman ang lalabas na survey. Ang masasabi ko lang ay bakit yung Pulse Asia tumutugma doon sa SWS. So ang survey naman, hindi susudin ng tao. Ang survey ang sumusunod sa tao," Cayetano said.