Aquino gov’t rating plunges 15 points to lowest level – SWS

The net satisfaction rating of President Benigno Aquino III’s administration plunged to its lowest level last month, according to the latest Social Weather Stations poll.

The survey, published by BusinessWorld, showed that net satisfaction rating for Aquino’s government dropped by 15 points, from a “good” +34 in December 2014 to a “moderate” +19 in March 2015.

According to the poll conducted from March 20 to 23 among 1,200 respondents, only 48 percent of Filipinos said they were satisfied with the government’s performance, down from 58 percent in December.

Meanwhile, 29 percent said they were dissatisfied (up from 24 percent in December) while 23 percent were undecided (up from 17 percent).

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

The downgrade was reflected across all socioeconomic classes with net satisfaction rating falling to +19 for class ABC (from +41 in December), +24 for class E (from +40) and +18 for class D (from +32).

Ratings drop in Mindanao

The survey was held almost two months after the Mamasapano operation in Maguindanao. Aquino was among the officials who received flak for the bloody incident, which resulted in the deaths of 44 policemen, 17 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and three civilians.

While the administration was able to maintain a “good” rating in the Visayas (+34, up from +31 last quarter) and a stagnant “moderate” rating of +21 in Metro Manila, it fell to “neutral” for the rest of Luzon (+8, down by 27 points from +35) and to “moderate” in Mindanao (+26, down by 17 points from +43).

Specific issues

Compared to last quarter, more issues fell under the “neutral” performance rating classification: fighting crimes (+9, from +5), rehabilitating areas damaged by conflict in Mindanao (+7, from ), fighting terrorism (+6, from +15), eradicating graft and corruption (+2, from +6), reconciliation with communist rebels (-3, from +17), reconciliation with Muslim rebels (-3, from +15) and flighting inflation (-8, from -12).

On the other hand, the government received “good” marks on helping victims of disasters (remained at +42), helping the poor (+34, from +33), promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (+34, from +38), protecting the environment (+32) and foreign relations (+30, from +33).

It received “moderate” ratings for preparing for climate change (+29, from +31), defending the country’s territorial rights (+22, from +40), telling the truth to the people (+15), restoring peace to Mindanao (+12), providing jobs (+11, from +17).

Meanwhile, “poor” net satisfaction ratings were given for ensuring that no family will ever be hungry (-11, from -9) and ensuring oil firms don’t take advantage of oil prices (-13, from -8).

Resolving the Maguindanao massacre case with justice (-50, from -41) remained the sole issue where the administration received a “bad” rating.

Originally posted: 10:23 AM | Tuesday, April 21st, 2015