MANILA, Philippines – Despite enjoying an increase in ratings, the three top institutions of the Philippine government failed to get majority approval and trust ratings, Pulse Asia said Tuesday.
The Senate and House of Representatives received notably higher approval and ratings for September, compared to June but were unable to reach the 50 percent mark.
Conducted from Sept. 8 to 15 among 1,200 Filipino adults, the survey showed a seven-point increase in the approval rating of the Senate, from 33 percent in June to 40 percent in September. The Senate received its greatest boost from Mindanao (19-point increase) in terms of geography and in classes ABC (15-point increase).
The same holds true for the institution’s trust ratings. More people said they trusted the Senate last month (38 percent) compared to June (31 percent). The greatest increase also came from Mindanao (21-point increase) and among those from classes ABC (13-point increase).
The performance or approval rating of the House of Representatives was also up, from 34 percent in June to 38 percent in September. It received its biggest increase from Mindanao (additional 10 points) and the rest of Luzon (additional 5 points). Its trust rating jumped by seven points from 29 to 36.
SC still on top
The ratings of the Supreme Court showed the least movement – decreasing by only a point in terms of approval (48 in September from 49 in June) and increasing by two points (44 in September from 42 in June).
Nevertheless, the Supreme Court enjoyed the highest approval and trust ratings among the three institutions.
“While a near majority of Filipinos (48 percent) approve of the work done by the Supreme Court, essentially the same percentages of Filipinos express appreciation for or indecision toward the performance of the Senate (40 percent versus 41 percent) and the House of Representatives (38 percent versus 43 percent),” Pulse Asia said.
With the Supreme Court’s trustworthiness remaining almost the same, the survey firm said more people expressed indecision over the trustworthiness of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Senate up, Drilon down
The survey, which also showed the approval and trust ratings of the top five national officials in the Philippine government, revealed that while the Senate’s ratings improved, that of Senate President Franklin Drilon dropped.
Pulse Asia Research Director Dr. Ana Maria Tabunda explained that there are a lot of factors affecting the perception of the public.
“There’s correlation (between the institution and the head) but Senate as a whole is being rated and that consists not only of the efforts of the Senate President but all the other senators,” she told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.
She noted that the other senators were very active in investigations such as the one on the allegedly overpriced Makati City parking building.
Tabunda also pointed out that Drilon has been receiving flak for being a prominent leader of the Liberal Party amid the controversial call to allow President Benigno Aquino III’s re-election.
The House of Representatives, on the other hand, received moderate increase in ratings compared to the Senate because it is not as prominent in the news.
“We’re not seeing that much (media) coverage of the House now,” Tabunda explained.
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