Aquino admin’s ratings recover after record low

After steep declines in the past, the net satisfaction rating of the Aquino administration rose to a “good” +31 in June this year, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll showed.

The non-commissioned survey, conducted among 1,200 respondents from June 5 to 8, showed the administration’s net satisfaction rating recovering by 12 points from the “moderate” rating of +19 in March, the lowest during President Benigno Aquino III’s term.

More than half (55 percent) said they were satisfied while 24 percent said they were disappointed. Some 20 percent were undecided.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda welcomed the news, pointing out the improvement in satisfaction rating (from 48 percent in March) and dissatisfaction rating (from 29 percent).

“This welcome news comes a day after our country received a credit rating upgrade from the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCRA), which has raised our rating from BBB- to BBB+ stable—the 22nd such positive rating action under the Aquino administration,” he said in a statement.

Lacierda said the Aquino administration continues to work hard as the 2016 national elections approached.

SWS ratings classification describes +70 and above as “excellent;” +50 to +69, “very good;” +30 to +49, “good;” +10 to +29, “moderate;” +9 to –9, “neutral;” –10 to –29, “poor;” –30 to –49, “bad;” –50 to –69, “very bad;” –70 and below, “execrable.”

Among the issues faced by the government, the following received “good” ratings: improving the quality of children’s education (+47), providing enough supply of electricity (+44), helping the poor (+39), foreign relations (+38), promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (+32), and ensuring the affordability of medicines (+31).

Receiving “moderate” ratings were defending the country’s territorial rights (+27), restoring peace in Mindanao (+23), giving justice (+19), fighting terrorism (+13), and deciding quickly on important problems (+11).

Not doing so well after receiving “neutral” ratings are: rehabilitating areas damaged by conflict in Mindanao (+5), fighting crime (+5), reconciliation with Communist rebels (+4), eradicating graft and corruption (+1) and reconciliation with Muslim rebels (+1), which received 38 percent each of satisfied and dissatisfied votes.

The Aquino administration received “poor” ratings for fighting inflation (-11), ensuring that no family will ever be hungry (-12) and ensuring oil firms don’t take advantage of oil prices (-17).

Remaining at a “very bad” -50 is the administration’s efforts in resolving the Maguindanao massacre case with justice.