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Just like any elections, the 2019 midterm polls produced winners and losers. That is simply the nature of the political game. An overlooked outcome of the recent May polls is the emergence of young public servants in all levels of government. In some instances, their victories caused the downfall of long-serving, veteran politicians.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 22 was significant in many ways. First, it was delivered as the President is enjoying high public approval ratings. The Pulse Asia survey on the Performance and Trust Ratings of the Top Philippine Government Officials conducted just prior to the SONA showed that 85% of Filipinos continue to trust Duterte, and approve of the job he is doing. Only 3% disapprove of his work as president.

How quickly sentiments can change. Nearly a year ago, when the inflation rate accelerated to 6.7 percent in September and October, investors and consumers turned pessimistic on their outlook on the economy.