MANILA, Philippines - Despite the Sabah crisis, President Aquino continues to enjoy majority approval and trust ratings in the latest survey by Pulse Asia.
Pulse Asia’s February 2013 Pre-Election Survey found 68 percent of respondents satisfied with the performance of Aquino while 70 percent expressed trust in him.
The President’s latest approval and trust scores were higher by two percentage points and one point from his January 2013 ratings of 66 percent and 68 percent, respectively.
Malacañang yesterday said the result of the survey is an indication that the armed conflict in Sabah did not affect the approval rating of the President.
“We are certainly happy that despite all the concerns, the people continue to repose their trust on the President. This is an affirmation of the governance of President Aquino,†Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters.
Lacierda also noted that the Pulse Asia survey was conducted at a time when Filipinos were preoccupied with the Sabah standoff, mock polls, Atimonan shootout, and salvage operations of USS Guardian that ran aground at Tubbataha Reef.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, on the other hand, obtained approval and trust ratings of 70 percent and 72 percent, respectively.
His latest scores were higher than the 69-percent approval rating and 71-percent trust rating he got in January.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, meanwhile, received approval and trust ratings of 46 percent and 43 percent, respectively. He received the same approval rating in January at 46 percent, but his trust rating dropped by three points from 46 percent previously.– With Delon Porcalla