EDITORIAL - Voice of the ‘bosses’

You don’t run a government based on surveys, according to Malacañang officials. And for a president in his fifth year in office, a satisfaction rating of 56 percent is still “the highest of the lowest” among all the administrations since the Social Weather Stations Inc. started polling after the 1986 people power revolt, Palace officials pointed out.

The comments were made after the results of the latest SWS survey showed public satisfaction with the Aquino administration falling to its lowest ever, from 65 percent in March to 56 percent in June. The picture looks worse in the net rating, with an increase in the number of dissatisfied Filipinos, from 20 to 26 percent, pulling down the net figure to 29 percent in June from 45 in March.

The net 29 rating is a slide to “moderate” from “good.” The results tracked those of recent surveys taken by both the SWS and Pulse Asia, which showed a similar drop in the approval and trust ratings of President Aquino.

Palace officials are correct in pointing out that public policy is not dictated by surveys. And not all polling firms are reliable, with several skewing results to fit what paying clients want. But reputable pollsters with no hidden agenda can provide policy makers with a relatively accurate gauge of the public pulse. Malacañang has expressed gratitude in the past for poll results showing high approval ratings for the President and his administration.

Yesterday, Palace allies themselves observed that controversies over the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel and the Disbursement Acceleration Program have pulled down the ratings of the President, his administration and Congress in the past months.

The latest SWS poll was taken at the end of June, shortly before the Supreme Court struck down the DAP. Since then the President and his officials have continued to defend the stimulus program, launching what looks like an effort coordinated with administration allies to pressure the SC to reverse its unanimous ruling.

Other factors no doubt contributed to the drop in public satisfaction for the administration. The SWS poll was taken as the prices of rice, garlic, onions and other food items were soaring.  But the DAP and pork barrel issues also influenced public opinion. President Aquino maintains that he listens to his “bosses” – the people. Reputable surveys amplify the voice of those bosses. It’s a voice Malacañang cannot ignore.