Noy should take surveys seriously, says Pulse Asia

MANILA, Philippines - Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes appealed to President Aquino yesterday not to ignore opinion surveys that reflect public sentiments.

“You cannot disregard it (survey). This is how the people feel,” Holmes told reporters.

Holmes said while no president could provide specific solutions to urgent issues in his first year, Aquino should set a clear direction and explain what he wants to do in the next five years.

Holmes said Aquino had experienced consistent decline in his approval ratings.

Aquino obtained 88 percent approval rating in July 2010, when he was first rated as President; 79 percent in October 2010, 74 percent in March 2011 and 71 percent in June.

Meanwhile, Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said the continuous decline in the President’s ratings was due to his failure to fulfill his campaign promises.

“There are many inconsistencies on what he says and what he is doing,” Magsaysay told a weekly media forum at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

She said Aquino was too busy running after former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and forgot the other aspects of governance.

Magsaysay specifically mentioned the President’s failure to address the oil price increase and inflation.

Holmes said the President should provide the public more concrete results in his next State of the Nation Address (SONA) later this month or the public would become even more critical of his work.