Ratings surge means people side with Binay amid charges—VP camp

Vice President Jejomar Binay.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Vice President Jejomar Binay expressed his thanks to his supporters and said his improvement in trust and approval ratings means that the people empathize with him as he faces graft allegations ahead of the elections.

“As the Vice President welcomes the increase in his performance and trust ratings, he vows to vigorously push for his pro-poor agenda and tirelessly talk directly to the people,” Binay’s spokesperson Atty. Rico Quicho said.

Quicho said the improvement in Binay’s ratings meant that the people are siding with him as Binay is challenged with corruption allegations before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“This improvement in the Vice President’s ratings demonstrates that our people are responding to the clear message of the Vice President and empathizes with the challenges that he is facing to serve and uplift their lives,” Quicho said.

According to the Pulse Asia’s December 2015 survey on the performance and trust ratings of the country’s top five officials, Binay posted a nine-point increase in his approval rating (from +43 in September 2015 to +52 in December 2015) and a 10-point hike in his trust rating (from +39 in September 2015 to +49 in December 2015).

READ: Pulse Asia: Binay approval, trust ratings surge

Across geographic areas, Binay enjoyed the highest surge in his approval rating in the Visayas (from +36 in September to +49 in December), followed by Luzon and Mindanao where he gained an eight-point increase. He also posted a near majority score (+46) in Metro Manila.

Across social classes, Binay gained a +20 point increase in his approval rating in the poorest Class E (from +46 in September to +66 in December) and a five-point increase in Class D (from +44 in September to +49 in December). Class ABC, on the other hand, had split views regarding the performance of the vice president (+30 approval, +27 indecision, and +43 disapproval).

Binay’s camp said the opposition presidential candidate in 2016 would continue to consult with the poor in his campaign against poverty.

“He will continue to emphasize that our country needs an experienced and competent leader to work for inclusive growth that would benefit the poor and the marginalized,” Quicho said.

READ: Ombudsman finds probable cause to charge VP Binay with graft

Binay was indicted for graft by the Ombudsman for allegedly rigging the procurement for the design and construction of the P2.28-billion Makati City Hall Building II, deemed the country’s priciest car park building, when he was Makati mayor.

Binay also faces four other plunder and graft complaints before the Ombudsman over the alleged anomalies involving the Makati Science High School Building, University of Makati, a Fort Bonifacio property, and over an allegedly anomalous land deal between Alphaland and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, where Binay is long-standing President.

Binay decried political harassment by his detractors who intend to derail his presidential bid.

READ: Binay appeals graft indictment, says it’s meant to ruin 2016 run

In the Pulse Asia survey, Binay’s political rival President Benigno Aquino III remains to have the highest approval rating among the top five government officials with a +55 rating.

Aquino is also the most trusted government official, being the only one who enjoys a majority trust rating of +53. IDL