PNoy, Drilon ratings drop in Pulse Asia survey

MANILA, Philippines - The ratings of President Benigno Aquino III and Senate President Franklin Drilon decreased in the last quarter of 2013, the results of the newest Pulse Asia survey revealed on Monday.

The survey results, which were also presented on television reports, showed that Aquino's approval rating declined from 79 percent in September 2013 to 73 percent in December of the same year.

The President's trust rating also slightly fell from 76 percent to 74 percent during the similar period.

On the other hand, Vice President Jejomar Binay received an approval rating of 80 percent in December, up by three notches from his previous score in September.

Binay's trust rating also climbed from 74 percent in September to 77 percent in December last year.

The two highest elected officials also still received majority approval ratings. Malacañang has yet to issue a statement while Binay welcomed the increase in his scores.

"As we start the year, the result of the recent Pulse Asia survey is definitely a source of inspiration. Rest assured that we will continue to work hard to improve the lives of our people and provide them the service they deserve," Binay said in a statement posted on his social media accounts.

The disapproval and distrust ratings of Aquino (10 percent and nine percent) and Binay (five percent and six percent) also remain low.

Drilon's scores decline

Following the issues that plagued the Senate last year, Drilon's approval rating also plunged from 50 percent in September to 43 percent in December. He also registered a 40 percent trust rating in the same month, which was lower than the 46 percent he received in the previous poll.

Drilon's disapproval rating also went up from 13 percent to 21 percent, while his distrust rating climbed from 14 percent to 21 percent.

In a statement, Drilon said the survey results will serve as a challenge to improve his performance.

"We realize and accept that the controversies that hounded Congress last year cost us the trust and approval of our people. We have therefore committed ourselves to tedious but necessary actions that will enable us to regain public trust and approval," Drilon said.

Among the issues that Drilon faced last year was the revelation of Senator Jinggoy Estrada that the senators who voted to convict former Chief Justice Renato Corona received additional pork barrel funds.

Estrada claimed that additional funds was "provided in a private and confidential letter" from Drilon, then the Senate finance committee chairperson.

The Aquino administration later on disclosed that the funds were sourced through the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), which realigns government savings to pump-prime the economy.

However, the DAP later on earned major criticisms due to its alleged unconstitutionality.

House, Supreme Court ratings

According to the Pulse Asia survey, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. obtained an approval rating of 43 percent and a trust rating of 38 percent.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno got an approval rating of 44 percent and a trust rating of 41 percent.

The ratings of both officials last December were slightly higher than those they received in September.

Among the three key government institutions rated, only the Supreme Court garnered a majority approval rating with its score of 52 percent.

The Senate only received an approval rating of 45 percent while the House of Representatives got 42 percent.

The three institutions did not gain majority trust ratings.