Honasan: Aquino dip in ratings not alarming

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Gregorio Honasan II on Thursday defended the dip in the ratings of President Benigno Aquino III in the recent Pulse Asia survey.

According Honasan, it is understandable that Vice President Jejomar Binay continues to experience skyrocketing ratings while Aquino experienced another dip in his ratings since he holds the highest position in the land.

“That’s natural. But it’s not going down to the point that there’s dissatisfaction or very low trust rating. In the case of the vice president, he’s not in the line of fire, he has responsibilities but not the same accountability as the president of the Philippines,” Honasan said.

“They identify the vice president with their day-to-day concerns, the gut issues, so that accounts for his high trust rating,” he explained.

According to Honasan, one cannot discount the fact that the most important position in the land is the position of the president and people have high expectations from the chief executive.

Meanwhile, when asked if Binay will be able to sustain his high approval ratings, Honasan said: “There’s a danger but if you can manage this risk, that’s why there’s a cost-benefit, risk benefit analysis, and in politics the variables are many… So you just have to keep on trying to deliver to our people what they expect from you.”