MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 11, 2014) – President Benigno Aquino’s popularity has slid in a latest survey and various groups have blamed no one, but the Filipino leader for his fall in the rating.
“The fact that Aquino’s popularity is in fast falling despite the obvious bias of these survey firms shows that the administration’s unpopularity and isolation from the Filipino people is very much undeniable,” Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of the youth group Anakbayan, said.
“The huge drop in Aquino’s popularity among the poor, and in the Visayas, is a reflection of the government’s biggest sins – the overpricing of basic goods and services, the lack of decent jobs, and Aquino’s criminal negligence which has victimized the millions affected by typhoon Haiyan,” he added.
The group has previously criticized Aquino as a ‘coddler’ of the power industry monopoly composed of seven big corporations which controls both the generation and distribution side of the said sector, allowing it to manipulate electricity rates.
Crisostomo also criticized Aquino for his role in the suffering of millions of typhoon victims, saying the president’s negligence led to both the horrendous death toll, as well as the slow and inept relief operations.
He made a pitch for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, saying the latest poll should serve as a wake-up call to the former.
“People will always resist and fight as long as their rights are not respected and upheld. The unsatisfied poll respondent of today is the rebel of tomorrow,” Crisostomo.
“Make no mistake about it. With the severity of Aquino’s anti-poor policies and programs, there will never be peace in this country. Even if it succeeds in defeating the New People’s Army, something it has failed to do so in 45 years, other groups are ready to take its place,” he added.
But government spokesman Herminio Coloma said the main focus of the administration is the implementation of reforms in the country and not public approval ratings.
“We will note that the decline in the performance approval—I believe it is from 73%t to 70% — is a marginal decline and well within the usual statistical margin of error,” he said.
Coloma was commenting on Pulse Asia’s Ulat ng Bayan Survey for the First Quarter of 2014 which showed a slight dip in Aquino’s satisfaction and trust ratings.
“We have pointed out in previous briefings that our main concern is the implementation of the reforms and of the major programs in the Philippine Development Plan,” he said.
While there will likely be ups and downs or ebbs and flows in public opinion survey results, he said, the Aquino administration remains focused on the attainment of its development plan objectives.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte also said public confidence and trust on Aquino remain overwhelming.
“The most recent sampling of public opinion is the latest manifestation that the President’s efforts, his governance, and the administration’s mission to empower our people by instituting permanent change, are indivisible from the aspirations and efforts of our people as a whole,” she said.
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