The Philippine Online Chronicles

President Benigno Aquino III continues to enjoy a high approval rating, according to the latest Pulse Asia Inc. poll conducted from November 10 to 23.

The poll shows that 72% of Filipinos approve of the president. This is 5 percentage points down from Aquino's approval rating of 77% in the previous poll. Pulse Asia also pointed out that Aquino's disapproval rating has gone up from 4% to 9%.

However, the group pointed out that, “Although there is a 5-percentage point decline in the President’s national approval rating as well as a 5-percentage point increase in his overall disapproval score...these changes are marginal at best given this survey’s overall error margin of +/- 3 percentage points.”

“For the most part, Filipinos’ assessment of presidential performance and trustworthiness remains constant between August and November,” Pulse Asia said in a statement.

However, the statement added that, “disenchantment with the Aquino administration’s performance on selected national issues became more pronounced.”

The administration's efforts to “reduce the poverty of many Filipinos” earned a 36% disapproval rating, up from 21% in May. The government’s efforts at “controlling fast population growth” also went up to 25% from 14% in the previous poll.

“Abiding confidence”

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda responded to the findings saying the Pulse Asia poll results “confirm the abiding confidence of our countrymen in President Aquino.”

“The government remains grateful, and takes it as a signal to pursue our reform agenda even more vigorously,” Lacierda said.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara added that although the poll shows that Filipinos are generally happy with Aquino's performance, “The administration should now focus on the economy – especially creating jobs by government spending.”

On the other hand, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño noted that, “more and more people are disillusioned with the president’s ability to improve the lives of the poor and the country’s economy.”