Governance not a popularity contest — Bunye

Malacañang said yesterday it would rather endure unfavorable public opinion than enjoy popularity at the expense of the economy.

The statement came on the heels of published survey results showing a decline in President Arroyo’s popularity and trust ratings.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said effective governance and leadership are not popularity contests but rather about improving the lives of the people, which could not be effectively gauged by opinion surveys alone.

The Palace has suggested, however, the conduct of barangay assemblies to determine the true sentiment of the people regarding Mrs. Arroyo.

Bunye also said the surveys were conducted at a time when the President had to make tough decisions on economic reforms and was facing many unsubstantiated allegations.

He lamented that the President’s efforts to shield the people from the onerous impact of soaring fuel prices on the world market were overshadowed by turmoil and destabilization efforts mounted by the political opposition at home.

Bunye said he remained optimistic that, despite the negative ratings the President received in surveys, the majority of the Filipino people still appreciate what she is doing to improve their lives.

This positive public sentiment, he noted, could be gleaned from the outpouring of support the President has been receiving from all sectors, including the urban poor, local government officials, Muslim communities, academe and students, women and diplomats over the past two weeks while her detractors were calling for her resignation.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez have proposed the holding of barangay assemblies as provided for in the Local Government Code to determine the public’s opinion on the Arroyo administration.

Gonzalez said these assemblies would be a virtual referendum and would be more accurate than surveys, which are prone to manipulation.

At a press conference at Malacañang, Ermita claimed the assemblies would allow the government to hear the voices of a greater number of people.

Also present during the press conference was Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who challenged survey outfits to conduct polls in her province and in other areas outside Metro Manila.

"Metro Manila is not the Philippines and the Philippines is not only Metro Manila," Garcia said. "The voices of the people outside Metro Manila must be heard, especially Cebu, which is the number one province in the country as of now." — Paolo Romero