MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III’s approval and trust ratings slumped to their lowest levels since 2010 amid public outrage over the Mamasapano operation, the latest Pulse Asia survey showed.
From 59 percent in November 2014, his approval rating dropped to 38 percent in March 2015 while his trust rating fell from 56 percent last quarter to 36 percent this month.
“This is the first time the President has posted non-majority national approval and trust ratings in Ulat ng Bayan surveys since he was first rated as president by survey respondents back in October 2010,” Pulse Asia said in its media release.
The survey, based on a sample of 1,200 respondents across the country, was conducted from March 1 to 7, 2015, more than a month after the Mamasapano mission, which left 44 policemen, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and five civilians dead.
READ: Aquino attends plant inauguration as bodies of slain SAF men arrive in Manila | #NasaanAngPangulo trends on Twitter
Aquino has been receiving flak for his involvement in the operation, as well as his actions towards the relatives of the slain Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) troopers.
READ: Aquino reaches out; SAF 44 relatives not convinced
The President blamed relieved SAF commander Getulio Napeñas for poor planning and lack of coordination with the military and groups involved in the peace process with the MILF but his critics said he is also accountable for allowing a suspended official – then PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima – to direct the operation.
READ: Aquino, Napeñas violated PNP chain of command—BOI report
Rising disapproval
The highest drop in the President’s approval rating was recorded in Visayas where it fell by 27 percentage points – from 68 percent in November 2014 to 41 percent in March. This is followed by the National Capital Region, which has recorded the lowest approval rating at 26 percent (from 49 percent in November).
His approval rating in Mindanao also fell to 45 percent, from 67 percent, while for the rest of Luzon it slid to 36 percent from 54 percent in November 2014.
A notable increase in his disapproval rating was seen in NCR where it rose by 24 percentage points (from only 17 percent in November 2014 to 41 percent in March). Disapproval ratings also rose for the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
A similar trend was also seen among economic classes. His approval rating fell by 24 percentage points for Class ABC and D (both from 59 percent in November 2014 to 35 percent this month). Among Class E, it fell to 47 percent from 57 percent last quarter.
Pulse Asia said respondents’ indecision on Aquino’s work became “more pronounced” compared to the last quarter.
From Pulse Asia
Distrust in NCR, Class ABC
Class ABC also posed the highest increase in distrust, rising to 35 percent this month, from only 14 percent in November last year.
Among the geographical areas, the rise in distrust was highest in NCR (from only 17 percent in November 2014 to 43 percent in March).
Aquino’s trust rating suffered a double-digit point drops in all areas: NCR at 24 percent (from 49 percent in November), rest of Luzon at 34 percent (from 52 percent), Visayas at 40 percent (from 62 percent), and Mindanao at 45 percent (from 62 percent).
The trend was also reflected among socioeconomic classes as the President’s trust ratings fell to 34 percent (from 57 percent) for Class ABC and D and to 42 percent (from 52 percent) for Class E.
From Pulse Asia
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