The results of the 23 October to 27 "Tugon ng Masa" survey indicated that an impressive 86 percent of the respondents trust President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice-President and concurrent Secretary of Education, Inday Sara Duterte. Only four percent expressed distrust while the remaining ten percent are undecided.

In Mindanao, PBBM received a remarkable highest trust rating at 92 percent. In the Visayas, he got 87 percent. In Luzon, he received 84 percent, and in Metro Manila at 82 percent.

On the other hand, VP Inday Sara received a whopping 98 percent among the respondents in Mindanao. She got 87 percent in the Visayas while in Metro Manila, she received 83 percent, and in the rest of Luzon, she obtained 81 percent.

Sought their opinion on the performance of PBBM, the respondents gave a 78 percent rating. Only five percent were dissatisfied, and 18 percent could not decide one way or the other. In contrast, VP Sara got 80 percent, which is a few notches higher than PBBM with four percent dissatisfied and 16 percent undecided.

The Octa Research Group survey not only is correct but expected. The euphoria that followed the election of the Marcos-Duterte tandem has not subsided. The hopes and aspirations of the overwhelming majority of the Filipino electorate were placed on them. Their call for unity resonated with the people. The latter has embraced the commitment of the electoral victors to continue with the sweeping reforms initiated by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. They also hope that the present power holders resurrect the pandemic-stricken economy and further expand the infrastructure projects commenced by FPRRD.

They expect PBBM and VP Inday Sara to increase food production, particularly in rice, sugar, fish, vegetables, and meat, to arrest the spiraling of prices of basic commodities and services. The citizenry clamored for more distribution of lands to those who don't have housing units to those without permanent shelters. They demand higher wages for workers and more benefits for the employed sector, disabled, and elderly. They want the drug war to continue and the fight against corruption and criminality unrelenting and vigorous. They want the country's territoriality and sovereignty defended with vigor and without fear and to improve the country's defenses against intruders.

People expect the two top officials to end the communist insurgency and destroy the terrorists. They also want them to aggressively contain the pandemic and to build more hospitals that are easily accessible to the masses even as the people want them to reduce the inflation rate and poverty index. They would love to see Marcos-Duterte succeed in reducing the unemployment percentage.

These and more crafted positive and progressive government projects should be implemented for Filipinos to have comfortable lives.

Principally, the Filipinos have received favorably the future plans and government programs laid out by the President. He has articulated them clearly and eloquently with confidence. Despite the erratic start of the administration caused by the unlamented and destructive moves of at least two of his Cabinet members, their deserved departure arrested an incipient dissatisfaction of the people.

The survey ratings will inspire and motivate PBBM and VP Sara to perform their constitutional duties with dedication. So will the rest of the Cabinet members. The people's expression of trust and confidence in them should be maintained. The only way to maintain the people's trust is to bring to fruition the economic plans outlined to jumpstart the grandiose plans of resurrecting our economy that was brought down to its knees by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The various forces of society must get together in birthing like a Phoenix from the ashes that our country has been metaphorically reduced to. Every citizen must do his/her part to partner with our government and help our leaders succeed. A fragmented society with its members constantly bickering and lunging at each other can only bring ruin to all of us.

We must rise beyond our petty biases and prejudices and begin to realize that we are all parts of one whole, the movement of one part affects the entire body.

The road to peace and progress is littered with thorns. Let us convert those thorns into stairs, as in a rose, to reach the apex of success.