Binay scores higher ratings than Aquino: Pulse Asia

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay obtained a slightly higher approval rating than President Benigno Aquino III in a recent survey conducted by local poll firm Pulse Asia.

The survey, which was conducted last June 20 to July 4, showed Aquino getting a 73-percent approval rating compared to Binay’s 78-percent score.

The results released on Monday showed that 19 percent of respondents were undecided about the Chief Executive's performance compared to the 16 percent who were undecided on Binay’s performance.

The President also got a higher disapproval rating of seven percent compared to Binay's six percent.

Binay also scored a slightly higher trust rating of 78 percent compared to Aquino's 77-percent mark.

Pulse Asia noted that there were few significant changes in the overall performance and trust ratings of the top national government officials.

Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile obtained a 54-percent approval rating and a 53-percent trust rating. The survey was conducted after Enrile stepped down from his post earlier in June.

Thirty-eight percent of respondents trust both House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Belmonte also had a 38-percent approval rating while Sereno got 37 percent.

The Pulse Asia survey also showed that appreciation is the majority sentiment toward the performance of the Senate (53 percent), House of Representatives (52 percent) and the Supreme Court (57 percent).

The Upper House also recorded a 51-percent trust rating while the lower chamber received 53 percent and the high court got 55 percent.

The survey, which  had respondents of  1,200 adults aged 18 and above, has a plus or minus three-percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.