SWS: Binay rating falls, but still top performer

MANILA, Philippines - Similar to the results of the third quarter survey of Pulse Asia showing a decline in his approval and trust ratings, Vice President Jejomar Binay’s net satisfaction rating fell to 52 in a recent poll by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

This is by far the lowest score he received since he assumed office in 2010, the SWS said, although he remains the best performer among government officials.

Binay’s net satisfaction score dropped by 15 percentage points to 52 (70 percent satisfied, 17 percent dissatisfied) from 67 (78 percent satisfied, 11 percent dissatisfied) recorded in the second quarter.

It was also lower than his previous record low of “very good” 57 registered in November 2010.

The drop in Binay’s ratings comes amid allegations of corruption against him and his family.

Meanwhile, some improvements were seen in the net satisfaction scores of other top officials in the SWS third quarter survey conducted from Sept. 26 to 29.

Senate President Franklin Drilon’s net score rose by 16 points to “good” 36 (58 percent satisfied, 23 percent dissatisfied) from “moderate” 20 (50 percent satisfied, 30 percent dissatisfied).

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. also experienced an 11-point increase in his net satisfaction rating from “neutral” 2 (34 percent satisfied, 32 percent dissatisfied) to moderate” 13 (40 percent satisfied, 27 percent dissatisfied).

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s rating likewise rose to “moderate” 10 (37 percent satisfied, 27 percent satisfied) from “neutral” 6 (36 percent satisfied, 30 percent dissatisfied).

Results of the latest SWS survey were published in the newspaper BusinessWorld yesterday.

The nationwide survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 Filipino adults.

‘Numbers surprising’

Binay yesterday expressed gratitude for his latest ratings.

His spokesman on political affairs Jonvic Remulla said the Vice President is happy that 70 percent of Filipinos are satisfied with his performance.

“The numbers are surprising. Despite the toxic atmosphere brought about by the kangaroo court of the Senate and the incessant attacks by political detractors, he still outperforms the rest of the field. It goes to show that it’s hard to put a good man down,” Remulla said.

He said the good ratings that he is getting inspire Binay to continue doing his best in his duties.

More satisfied

SWS said satisfaction with top government institutions also improved in the third quarter.

The Senate’s net score went up by 16 points – although still in “moderate” territory – at 28 (53 percent satisfied, 26 percent dissatisfied) from 12 (46 percent satisfied, 34 percent dissatisfied) three months earlier.

The House of Representatives’ net satisfaction score also remained at “moderate” but up by eight points to 21 (45 percent satisfied, 24 percent dissatisfied) from 13 (44 percent satisfied, 31 percent dissatisfied).

Public satisfaction with the Supreme Court increased by two points but stayed at “good” 32 (54 percent satisfied, 22 percent dissatisfied), from the second quarter’s 30 (55 percent satisfied, 25 percent dissatisfied).

The Cabinet’s score rose by 11 points to “moderate” 18 (43 percent satisfied, 26 percent dissatisfied), from “neutral” 7 (39 percent satisfied, 32 percent dissatisfied) in the second quarter.

SWS earlier released President Aquino’s net satisfaction score, which improved to a “good” 34, after hitting a record low “moderate” 25 in April to June.

SWS classifies net satisfaction ratings of 70 and above as “excellent”; 50 to 69 as “very good”; 30 to 49, “good”; 10 to 29, “moderate”; 9 to -9, “neutral”; -10 to -29, “poor”; -30 to -49, “bad”; -50 to -69, “very bad”; and -70 and below, “execrable.”

The survey had sampling error margins of plus or minus three percentage points for national and plus or minus six percentage points for area percentages.  – With Jose Rodel Clapano