Palace happy with survey despite low ratings

MANILA, Philippines — Despite falling 22 places among government institutions ranked by local businessmen, Malacañang on Tuesday said it was still satisfied with the results.

“Sa kabuuan ay ikinagagalak namin ang resulta nitong survey na ito (As a whole, we are happy with the results of this survey),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma told Palace reporters.

He said the Makati Business Club (MBC) survey showed that business leaders still trusted institutions such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which ranked first among the government agencies and institutions.

“Ibig sabihin mataas ang kumpyansa nila sa kakayahan ng Bangko Sentral sa pagmamaneho ng macroeconomic fundamentals ng ating bansa, lalong-lalo na ‘yung sa monetary stability,” he explained.

(That means they have a confidence in the ability of the Central Bank to steer the macroeconomic fundamentals of our country, especially when it comes to monetary stability.)

Also cited by Coloma as receiving relatively high ratings in the survey were the Department of Tourism, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration) and Securities and Exchange Commission.

Coloma said another proof of the continued belief of the business sector in the government was MBC president Ramon del Rosario who expressed confidence in President Benigno Aquino III during the Daylight Dialogue forum in Malacanang last July 15.

“Mataas ang pagturing nila sa ginawa ng ating administrasyon hinggil sa matuwid na daan,” the Secretary said.

(Business men hold the administration’s good governance campaign in high regard.)

He said there was also a large gap between those satisfied and not satisfied.

According to the MBC Executive Outlook Survey, the Office of the President fell from 14^th place in July 2012 to 36^th place in July 2014.

Below is the summary of the said survey:

Palace describes Aquino rating decline ‘par for the course’

No need for surveys to wake us up—Palace

Palace acknowledges SWS survey on widespread corruption