Noy gets poor grade in fighting inflation

MANILA, Philippines - Soaring prices of rice, garlic and other basic goods pulled down the rating of the Aquino administration in yet another survey.

The administration received a poor -15 percent net approval rating in Pulse Asia’s June 2014 Ulat ng Bayan survey, with 41 percent of the respondents unhappy with the way inflation has been addressed – up from 34 percent in March.

The percentage of Filipinos who approved of the government’s efforts to control prices remained unchanged at 26 percent, it said.

The poll was conducted from June 24 to July 2, using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults.

Pulse Asia said more than half of survey respondents or 52 percent considered inflation as the most urgent among 11 issues rated in the survey.

The survey said inflation was “a majority concern” in Metro Manila (56 percent) and Mindanao (58 percent) as well as across all socio-economic classes. The inflation rate was at 4.40 percent in June.

The pollster said the administration obtained a majority approval rating (54 percent) in only one of 11 issues rated – fighting criminality.

Half of the respondents said they were appreciative of the administration’s peace initiatives.

Forty-seven percent of the respondents approved the government’s efforts to defend the country’s territorial integrity, 46 percent expressed approval of initiatives to stop the destruction and abuse of the environment, and 42 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with the government’s drive against graft and corruption.

Pulse Asia said almost or exactly the same approval and indecision ratings were recorded on the issues of rule of law (44 percent versus 38 percent), population growth (39 percent versus 38 percent), and job creation (37 percent versus 37 percent).

Public opinion on the administration’s handling of two issues – increasing the pay of workers and reducing poverty – is split in three ways, with percentages of approval, indecision and disapproval almost settling at the same level.

Corruption prevails

For the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), the Aquino administration has nothing much to be proud of since the country is still mired in a culture of corruption.

In a statement, the NCCP recalled that when Aquino first assumed the presidency, he promised to stand against all forms of corruption. Evelyn Macairan