Speaker enjoins colleagues to continue hard work

MANILA, Philippines -  Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. urged yesterday his colleagues in the House of Representatives to continue their hard work after he garnered high net satisfaction ratings in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

“It’s our (House) collective effort,” Belmonte said when asked about the latest SWS survey conducted last March 4-7 that showed his ratings increase by 10 percentage points to +17 percent in the last three months.

The House as an institution, however, saw its ratings decline during the same period from +33 to +30 percent.

He said the positive net satisfaction ratings were a vote of confidence by the people on the entire House “whose members have collectively and vigorously shown hard work and determination to contribute to the government’s anti-corruption and good governance campaign.”

“I am just doing my best to get the House united behind its priorities. I guess I am getting better known because of the great accomplishments of the House made possible through the hard work and dedication of its members,” Belmonte said.

“It is heartening to note an increasing awareness and appreciation by our people of the determined efforts of members of the House to institute the needed policy reforms in support of transparency and accountability in governance,” he said.

The previous Pulse Asia survey in its most recent survey that was conducted from Feb. 24 to March 6, 2011 showed Belmonte’s approval rating soar from 45 percent in October 2010 to 50 percent while his trust rating was a high 43 percent compared to the 18 percent who have small or no trust.

SWS president Dr. Mahar Mangahas said the increase in Belmonte’s ratings was a surprise considering that he usually keeps a low-profile compared to his predecessors.

“I think what strikes me the most is that the speakership has improved. Coming off a poorly rated past Speaker, people are relieved,” Mangahas told ANC.

“People are getting to know House Speaker Belmonte better. He comes off as a low-profile sort of Speaker,” he said.

Belmonte gave credit to all the 284 district and party-list representatives, both from the majority coalition and the minority bloc, for “doing their respective homework.”

“We assure our people that we will continue and will be consistent in doing what is right and what is needed to heighten the war against corruption and promote good governance. Our hard work does not end here. I therefore enjoin my esteemed colleagues to sustain our efforts so all our goals will ultimately be achieved,” he said.

He said since Congress opened last July the House has been confronted with difficult issues but managed to rightfully handle these matters, including the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and the controversial Reproductive Health bill.

“I’d like to think the present survey ratings reflect not only the awareness generated by these issues, but also the people’s stamp of approval for what we have so far accomplished. Needless to state, we are buoyed by their confidence in us and we vow to do more,” the Speaker said.

He acknowledged the vital role the media has played in effectively relaying the achievements of House members to their respective constituents.

“The country’s media is the most potent means of reaching out to our people, through which our respective constituents are afforded the opportunity to participate in reformation and policy making. Good governance is always a two-way street,” he said.

In the Pulse Asia survey that was released the day after Congress adjourned on March 25, Belmonte also achieved majority approval ratings in all classes — A, B, C, and D — ranging from 51 percent to 54 percent.

Belmonte said he has “a feeling of relief” that the House has able to achieve so much in such a short time since the 15th Congress opened in July last year.

“We thought we would have a difficult time ending with a bang but here we are, we were able to approve numerous bills on second reading, and third and final reading,” he said. “I think we did quite okay.”