SC ratings down 17 points—SWS

The Supreme Court symbol in Manila. (File photo LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The net satisfaction rating of the Supreme Court (SC) plummeted from positive 37 (+37) to positive 20 (+20), according to a recent survey conducted by resource center Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The moderate rating of SC is the lowest it has received in six years.  SC had double digit point decreases in all areas, losing 11 points in Metro Manila, 17 points in both Balance Luzon and Visayas, and 21 points in Mindanao.

According to the survey, which was conducted from March 23 to 27, SC’s grade was down in rural areas, from classes A to E, all age classifications and educational classes in a quarter-to-quarter basis.

The survey period was held during the discussions on Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s impeachment complaint and quo warranto petition hearings.

Congress well appreciated

Although the Senate’s satisfaction rate fell by one grade, from +56 in December 2017 to +46 in March 2018, the 17th Congress’ rating remains high compared to its predecessor.  The House of Representatives’ grade fell by eight points, but stayed “good” at +35.

Both the Senate and the Congress ratings went down by single digits on a year-on-year basis, from +39 and +52, respectively.

The ratings for the Duterte administration’s Cabinet went down by 10 points, from +38 to +28 on a quarter-on-quarter basis and by four points in a year-on-year basis.  However, the grade remains high especially in comparison to the previous administration, which peaked at +33.

SWS said that its March 2018 survey results were obtained using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adult Filipinos, questioning 300 individuals for each locale.

SWS considers a net satisfaction rating of +70 and above, “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”; and -70 and below, “execrable.” /jpv