Roco still top Cabinet performer

Education Secretary Raul Roco remains to be the top performer among members of President Arroyo’s Cabinet based on the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia.

Roco registered the highest awareness and approval rating of 97 percent and 69 percent, respectively.

Behind him is Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit, who has an approval rating of 55; followed by Trade Secretary Manuel Roxas II, 38; housing czar Michael Defensor, 33; Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, 29; and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, 26.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez and Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes received an identical approval rating of 20 percent.

The Cabinet members with the lowest approval ratings are Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza (9), former Press Secretary Noel Cabrera (9), Finance Secretary Jose Camacho (10), Economic Planning Secretary Dante Canlas (10), Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez (12), and Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas (12).

Among congressmen, Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. has the highest awareness rating of 97 percent. He is followed by Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, 81 percent; Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri (Lakas, Bukidnon), 70 percent;

Minority Leader Carlos Padilla (LDP, Nueva Vizcaya), 61 percent; Rep. Oscar Moreno (Lakas, Misamis Oriental), 51 percent; and Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. (Lakas, Surigao del Sur), 42 percent.

However, in terms of approval, Gonzales received the highest mark of 33, followed by De Venecia and Zubiri, who both had 28; Padilla, 20; Moreno, 15; and Pichay, 6 percent.

Except for De Venecia, the five congressmen are said to be eyeing Senate seats. As for the Speaker, he has said he was no longer interested in any higher post.

Senators have high awareness ratings. Sen. Edgardo Angara Jr. received the highest mark of 99 percent. Sen. Robert Jaworski got the lowest rating of 87 percent.

In terms of approval of their performance, Senators Noli de Castro and Loren Legarda have the highest ratings of 74 and 71, respectively. Behind them are Sen. Juan Flavier, 70; Angara, 66; and Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., 60 percent.

At the bottom of the list are Senators Jaworski, 13; Teresa Aquino-Oreta, 15; and Panfilo Lacson, 30. They are below Gregorio Honasan and Luisa "Loi" Estrada, who both received 33.

Jaworski’s father-in-law, Sen. Ramon Revilla, got an approval rating of 34 percent.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo has cut the frequency of Cabinet meetings from once a week to once a month "to put members in action more."