P-Noy net satisfaction drops - survey

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III's net satisfaction dropped from December 2011 to March this year, showed a survey released by the Social Weather Stations on Monday.

The SWS survey conducted March 10 to 13 showed that from +58 last December 2011, President Aquino's net satisfaction rating dropped to +49 (68 percent satisfied and 19 percent dissatisfied) in March 2012.

The survey showed that President Aquino suffered a 15-percentage point drop in net satisfaction among respondents from Balanced Luzon. The President's net satisfaction in the area last December was +60 and dropped to +45 in March 2012.

His net satisfaction also dropped in Metro Manila (+54 in December 2012 to +52 last March 2012), Visayas (+59 in December 2012 to +50 in March 2012) and in Mindanao (+56 in December 2012 and +53 this March).

The SWS survey also showed that Aquino's net satisfaction among Class D respondents dropped from +58 in December to +46 last March.

His net satisfaction among Class ABC respondents, meanwhile, increased from +61 to +62. His satisfaction among Class E respondents dropped four-percentatge points, from +56 to +52.

More than half or 52 percent of the survey's respondents, meanwhile, perceive Aquino as favoring the interest of the middle class. The result was also lower than December 2011's 55 percent.

Those who said that Aquino served the poor also dropped 13 points to 35% from 48% and those who said the President serves the rich increased four points from 23 percent to 27 percent.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said that the result of the latest SWS survey is an indicator of the public's continued support and satisfaction with Aquino's performance.

"Satisfaction with the President remains at very good in A, B, C, and E, which suggests to us that the Middle Class understands the external reasons for oil price increases, while the Social Safety Nets of the administration are working in Class E," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.

Valte added: "Please note that for regional numbers, the margin of error is plus or minus six points. Therefore, we note essentially unchanged satisfaction in Mindanao despite the power situation, and a marginal change in the Visayas despite the earthquake."