Gov’t ratings high in times of continuing crisis — polls

Amidst the critical concerns being confronted by the country and exacerbated by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the US, Metro Manila residents still have a high regard for President Arroyo, her Cabinet and selected lawmakers and government agencies.

Public opinion research firm Pulse Asia said a survey made after the attacks on New York City and Washington showed that the overall sense of Metro Manilans in relation to government performance is one of general approval, with the President receiving a rating of 61 percent.

The Sept. 22-26 survey of some 300 respondents gave Mrs. Arroyo a disapproval rating of only 21 percent for a net approval rating (NAR) of 40.

She received her best approval ratings ranging from 72 percent to 83 percent from among those in the relatively better-off poor belonging to Class D, those in the oldest age bracket, those with some high school education or vocational training and those working in government.

Only the poorest Class E and those with at best elementary schooling gave her disapproval ratings of as high as 31 percent.

Pulse Asia research director Felipe Miranda said this popular level of support for government as a whole "is of paramount importance even as the country confronts its multiple crises and deals with the dramatic events associated with recent terrorism."

"President Arroyo is doing quite well, and other top officials actually fared even better," Miranda said.

Among 61 government officials and lawmakers and 25 agencies tested for the current survey only two officials – Comelec Chairman Alfredo Benipayo and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Nur Misuari – and one agency, the ARMM, had a negative NAR.

All the top officials, with the exception of Speaker de Venecia, enjoyed majority approval ratings ranging from 56 percent to 68 percent. Vice President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teofisto Guingona gained a NAR of 35; Senate President Franklin Drilon, 51; De Venecia, 19; and Chief Justice Hilario Davide, 52.

"With the basic constitutional issues still simmering in the background, it is encouraging that Metro Manilans reserve for the High Court and its chief justice, the highest approval levels among the government authorities and institutions," Miranda said.

In Congress, the highest rated senators were Juan Flavier (74), Loren Legarda (71), Noli de Castro (69). Exactly half of the senators are above the mean rating of 43.

Senators Robert Jaworski and Teresa Aquino-Oreta continue to be the lowest-rated members of the chamber as they recorded NARs of 7 and 4, respectively. Most legislators closely associated with jailed former President Estrada continue to score below the mean.

However, Miranda noted that political healing may be starting since Jaworski and Oreta have gained positive NARs for the first time since the Estrada impeachment trial last December.

The exception is Sen. Edgardo Angara, who gained a NAR of 60, ranking fifth behind former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel (64).

"The remarkable showing of Senator Angara shows that he is not so much saddled by public criticism for the former president with whom he is closely affiliated, having run under the opposition party and having served as his executive secretary," Pulse Asia said.

"This may be due in part to the fact that the senator has been able to establish for himself a good reputation as legislator having been a member of the Senate previously," it explained.