Filipinos feel improvements—Aquino spokesman

MANILA, Philippines—The administration’s measures against corruption and poverty are being felt by Filipinos, Malacañang said Thursday in reaction to the most recent Pulse Asia survey showing improvements in President Aquino’s approval and trust ratings.

The improved rating “is an affirmation that more than a year into the current administration, the people’s faith in their leadership has not wavered, and has in fact become stronger,” the President’s spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, said of the Pulse Asia’s poll results.

“The message is getting across to the vast majority of Filipinos: President Aquino’s ratings are proof that his efforts toward curbing corruption and reducing poverty are truly being felt by Filipinos across all geographic and demographic strata,” Lacierda added.

The most recent survey showed a significant increase in his approval rating from 71 to 77 percentage points and trust rating from 71 to 75 percentage points.

“It is expected that survey numbers will fluctuate, and while we in government appreciate this development, we continue to raise the bar higher for ourselves so that every aspect of the President’s social contract with the Filipino people will be fulfilled,” Lacierda said.