Noy’s rating drops in Palace survey

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino’s approval rating hit a record low amid the pork barrel scandal, a Malacañang survey showed.

According to data gathered by The STAR, a survey commissioned by the Office of Political Affairs this month showed the President’s rating down to 35 percent. The survey had 1,000 respondents.

The STAR tried to contact Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas for confirmation but was told that he is in Europe until this week.

Aquino’s rating suffered a 44-percent drop compared to the 79 percent he got in the Pulse Asia survey conducted from Sept. 14 to 27.

It was also a decrease of 14 percent compared to his +49 percent rating in the Sept. 20 to 23 Social Weather Stations survey.

Vice President Jejomar Binay’s approval rating also declined but remains high compared with the President.

From 77 percent in the Pulse Asia survey Binay got +57 percent in the Palace-commissioned survey.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima got +38 percent.

Only the President, Binay and De Lima among government officials obtained positive ratings.

Zero, negative ratings

The survey also showed that Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. got zero while Senate President Franklin Drilon obtained a -14 percent approval rating.

Senators Jinggoy Estrada got -14 percent; Ramon Revilla Jr., -15 percent; and Juan Ponce Enrile, -21 percent. The three are facing plunder charges along with 34 others, in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scandal.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda got -20 percent and -16 percent, respectively.

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo got -69 percent.