The Philippine Online Chronicles

Vice President Jejomar Binay remains the most trusted among the country’s top five government officials, according to the results of a Pulse Asia survey released Monday.

The nationwide survey, which was conducted from May 21 to June 4, showed that 83 percent approve Vice President Binay’s performance, similar to his score in the pollster’s March survey. Meanwhile, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III got a 73 percent approval rating.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile got 57 percent while House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. received 39 percent approval rating.

Both Aquino and Binay also received majority trust ratings in the latest survey with 71 percent and 81 percent, respectively. They also received single-digit distrust ratings (7 percent for Aquino and 4 percent for Binay).

Meanwhile, Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona received the lowest approval rating (28 percent) and trust rating (23 percent).

Pulse Asia noted that the only significant change in the overall performance ratings of the top five officials between March and May 2011 is the 11-percentage point decline in the approval rating of House Speaker Belmonte.

7 out of 10 trust Aquino

In another survey released last week, the survey firm reported that about seven in ten Filipinos (71 percent) trust President Aquino while less than one in ten (8 percent) is critical of the President’s performance.

The Pulse Asia survey, which was also conducted from May 21 to June 4, showed that the President enjoys majority trust ratings in all geographic areas and socio-economic classes.

“Mindanaoans (76%) and those in Class E (78%) are most inclined to trust President Aquino. In contrast, double-digit distrust ratings are recorded in Class ABC (12%) and Metro Manila (15%),” Pulse Asia said.

In both surveys, Pulse Asia interviewed 1,200 respondents aged 18 years old and above with a +/- 3 percent error margin.