Palace shrugs off Aquino’s declining popularity ratings

THE RECENT Pulse Asia poll showing President Benigno Aquino III with the lowest approval rating among the top five national officials is not something to worry about, Malacanang said Thursday.

“In all his actions and decisions he (Aquino) abides by his sworn duties and serves in accordance with his judgment on what is best for the nation – regardless of the ebb and flow of  public sentiment and popularity ratings,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

READ: Aquino biggest loser among top 5 national officials – Pulse Asia

“The President is firmly determined to fulfill his promises to his Bosses, the Filipino people,” he said.
The survey in question shows Aquino’s approval and trust ratings falling by double digit numbers–down 21 percentage points (from 59 percent in November 2014 to 38 percent in March 2015) and 20 percentage points (from 56 percent to 36 percent).
On the other hand, the performance ratings of Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senate President Franklin Drilon remained more or less the same.

The Pulse Asia survey was conducted from March 1 to 7, more than a month after the botched Mamasapano operation, which resulted in the deaths of 67 people. Two months after the incident, Aquino is still being criticized for his handling of the operation, which targeted an international terrorist and his Filipino associate. AC