Deblitation is only one kind of weakness as the environment of the sign is not supportive to the natural traits of the planet .....but there can be other factors which gives strength to the planet like retrogression is a kind of a strength that planet will not give up easily. in Cancer ascendant if Saturn is in the 10th house retro then tenth house has a retro planet and karka of Karma Saturn is also retro;this shows in stability at workplace. in general if a functional malefic is weak is a good sign for the natives growth but we cannot forget the lordship and the karaktatva of the planets if it becomes very weak.