MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino’s approval and trust ratings plummeted to an all-time low amid public outrage over the Jan. 25 Mamasapano operation, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey.
Aquino received the lowest approval rating since he assumed the presidency in 2010 at 38 percent, from 59 percent in November 2014. His trust rating dropped from 56 percent to 36 percent this month, Pulse Asia said yesterday.
Pulse Asia said this is the first time Aquino has posted non-majority national approval and trust ratings in Ulat ng Bayan surveys since he was first rated as president by survey respondents back in October 2010.
The poll, using interviews of 1,200 adult respondents, was taken from March 1 to 7, more than a month after the Mamasapano operation that left 44 police commandos dead.
Aquino’s approval and trust ratings dropped in all geographic areas (-18 to -27 and -17 to -25 percentage points, respectively) as well as in Classes ABC and D (-24 and -23 percentage points, respectively), the pollster said.
Approval rating
Public satisfaction with Aquino fell to 26 percent from 49 percent in Metro Manila. For the rest of Luzon, it dropped from 54 percent to 36 percent.
His approval rating in the Visayas slid to 41 percent from 68 percent. His approval rating in Mindanao dropped to 45 percent from 67 percent.
The President’s approval rating dropped by 24 points (from 59 percent to 35 percent) among Classes ABC and D.
It fell by 10 points (from 57 percent to 47 percent) among Class E.
“The 10-percentage point drop in approval and trust ratings in Class E falls short of being significant as it is within the error margin for the socio-economic grouping,” Pulse Asia noted.
Trust rating
Aquino’s trust rating plummeted to 24 percent from 49 percent in Metro Manila, and to 34 percent from 52 percent in balance Luzon.
His trust rating fell to 40 percent (from 62 percent) and 45 percent (from 62 percent) in the Visayas and Mindanao, respectively.
Aquino’s trust rating among Classes ABC and D fell by 23 points to 34 percent.
His trust rating declined by 10 points to 42 percent among Class E.
Palace vows to work harder
Malacañang said yesterday the Aquino administration would continue to work harder and push for reforms to regain public trust and confidence amid the drop in the President’s ratings.
Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said they believe that the Filipino people will be generally fair in their assessment of Aquino’s performance since he assumed office in 2010.
“The President and his administration have faith that the people will understand this development,” Coloma said.
Asked if the President could overcome one of the biggest challenges to hit his administration, Coloma said Aquino got his mandate from the people and is determined to finish his term next year.
Coloma said the ratings reflected public sentiments arising from the Mamasapano incident.
“In the remaining 15 months, the President and his Cabinet will intensify the implementation of development programs and institutional reforms toward achieving sustainable and inclusive growth and fulfilling our people’s aspirations,” he said. – With Aurea Calica, Paolo Romero, Mayen Jaymalin, Rhodina Villanueva