Predictable: Critics elated, allies dismissive

President Benigno Aquino III’s critics in the House of Representatives on Tuesday gloated over the decline in his approval ratings, but his allies were quick to dismiss it as insignificant.

Senior Deputy Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said the results of the Social Weather Stations’ June 2011 survey should serve as a cue for the President.

“Half of the population doesn’t like him anymore. That’s why he’ll have to improve his performance. This is a wake-up call,” Suarez said.

Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said Mr. Aquino’s dropping ratings were expected given the events that took place in the past three months, including the alleged misdeeds of his “KKK,” or “classmates, party mates and shooting buddies.”

Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, a brother-in-law of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said the survey results only showed Mr. Aquino’s inability to govern properly.

Presidents’ sons

Gloria Arroyo’s elder son, Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, said Mr. Aquino should act on pressing concerns instead of blaming the past administration for his woes.

“He should be made aware that the drop in his [ratings] is due to his inaction and his coddling of his ‘KKK.’ The people expect him to make good his promise to deliver basic services and uplift [their] lives,” Mikey Arroyo said, adding:

“There’s less food on the table. And yet the only things people can relate Aquino to are his dates with different girls and his fancy for luxury sports cars.”

Look who’s talking?

Mikey Arroyo’s remarks drew a barb from San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito, whose father, Joseph Estrada, was replaced by Gloria Arroyo after Edsa II.

“He’s too brash when he speaks, when you consider that under his mother’s regime, the country’s standard of living deteriorated and more people went hungry,” Ejercito said in a text message to reporters.

According to Ejercito, Mikey Arroyo should be the last to criticize Mr. Aquino because his mother had the poorest trust rating among all Philippine presidents.

“The regime of Gloria was full of scandals and corruption. I can’t see any anomaly involving President Aquino so far,” Ejercito said.

Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan said it was the President’s work habits that had made many people dissatisfied.

“People are disappointed in his performance and expect a better work ethic. One year has passed and he has not improved,” Ilagan said.

Rep. Emmy de Jesus, also of Gabriela, said: “His nonaction [with regard] to people’s economic issues [such as soaring prices and housing problems] will really bring down his credibility.”

Sulu Rep. Tupay Loong said the President should strive more to meet the high expectations of those who had voted for him.

Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino said Mr. Aquino should review his first anniversary speech and “think of better words to say” apart from wangwang (siren), kayo ang boss ko (you’re my boss), and daang matuwid (righteous path).

People’s confidence
“People want results, vision and real change; no more show biz spins, cheap stunts and paawa effect about his bachelor life. Act like a people power president, not a spoiled hacendero or accidental president,” Palatino said.

But Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., a member of Mr. Aquino’s Liberal Party (LP), shrugged off the drop in the President’s ratings, saying it was “insignificant considering the problems that the administration is facing.”

“But taking into account all factors, with the 46-percent approval rating, the President still enjoys the confidence and support of the people,” Tupas said.

Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy said the ratings were still within the normal survey trend of any sitting president and were “expected to rise again after the [State of the Nation Address] in July, when everybody hears his accomplishments for the year.”

Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III, another LP member, said the drop in the ratings, although not as big as in the previous survey, was the result of the increased prices in oil and other basic commodities.

Tañada said the hike in prices was an effect of the unstable situation in North Africa and the Middle East, and beyond Mr. Aquino’s control.

“The President should exert an extra effort to inform the people about what he is doing to address … price increases. It may be unfair to P-Noy but price increases are what the common people see, feel and experience,” Tañada said.

“Price increases … play an important part in people’s perception of government,” he said. With a report from Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.