Aquino allies downplay trust rating slump after Mamasapano debacle

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–As expected, allies of President Benigno Aquino III in the ruling Liberal Party downgraded the Pulse Asia survey ratings showing the President’s biggest slump in the aftermath of the Mamasapano debacle, with one lawmaker saying the President is “beyond the chain of command.”

READ: Pulse Asia: Aquino trust, approval ratings at their lowest after Mamasapano incident

In a press conference Tuesday, Iloilo city Representative Jerry Treñas, LP whip for Visayas, chose to compare the survey to a stock market wherein the index goes up and down depending on the issues of the day.

“Surveys are like stock market. They go up and down…  Like the stock market, ultimately there will be a correction,” Treñas said.

The allies also backed the President on allegations that he broke the police chain of command in delegating tasks for the execution of the Jan. 25 antiterror raid in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, to take down international terrorist Zulkilfi Bin Hir alias “Marwan” and local bombmaker Basit Usman.

In its report, the Board of Inquiry accused Aquino of breaking the police chain of command when he authorized the operation to his close friend, resigned Police Chief, Director General Alan Purisima, despite the latter’s suspension for graft, instead of to acting Police Chief, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.

READ: Senate draft report: Aquino ‘ultimately responsible’ for Mamasapano mission

“As far as I’m concerned, I think the President is beyond the chain of command,” LP member Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said.

“As a lawyer, I do not see any law, memorandum or circular that will stop him from dealing with a police officer like the SAF commander in this case,” Treñas also said.

Asked for his reaction on Aquino consulting with Purisima despite his suspension, Treñas said Purisima only acted as a “resource person.”

Treñas said he remained confident the President will remain popular that will grant him endorsement powers to his successor despite his refusal to take responsibility on the debacle that was blamed on lack of coordination.

He said the people surveyed may have been highly “emotional” especially in the aftermath of the debacle which left 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos, 18 Moro fighters and five civilians dead in the botched antiterror raid.

“The emotions are very high. That will affect the survey of the President,” Treñas said.

“We’re all human and in time we make mistakes… I believe before the elections we will see a correction that will lead to a victory of the Liberal Party,” he added.

The latest Pulse Asia survey shows that Aquino received all-time low approval and trust ratings since 2010.

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 came in the aftermath of the President refusing to admit command responsibility and instead putting the blame on sacked SAF commander Getulio Napeñas who he said disobeyed his orders to coordinate with the military on the top secret antiterror raid.

“The gains of this administration are overshadowed by these incidents. I’m just asking for patience…” Treñas said.

Erice said the present administration’s achievements outweigh the Mamasapano incident.

“The people will see through that the positive things the Aquino administration has done far outweighs this particular incident… Comparably, these ratings are high compared to other presidents,” Erice said.

He added that the survey is not a “kiss of death” on Aquino’s endorsement powers for his successor in the 2016 elections. Interior Secretary Mar Roxas is his presumptive presidential bet.

For his part, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares rebutted the Aquino allies’ defenses, saying the president’s biggest slump “highlights the massive erosion of the people’s support to his administration.”

“It will be all downhill from here and opens the possibility of his key allies deserting him… (I)t would be best for him to resign and face the consequences of his actions,” Colmenares said in a statement.

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