Aquino gets lower approval rating: survey

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The net approval rating of President Benigno Aquino III declined by 20 points to + 42, according to the results of a survey released by private research institute Pulse Asia today.

The latest Pulse Asia survey, conducted on June 24 to July 2, showed that the net trust rating for Aquino also dropped by 21 points to +39.

Despite the decline, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino continues to enjoy majority support from the public as evidenced by the 56 percent approval and 53 percent trust ratings he obtained.

"We have a healthy plurality that continues to support (Aquino). We believe just as the Philippine president has explained the real situation of the country, the public will respond accordingly," said Lacierda.

Aquino's latest approval rating was 14 percentage points lower than the 70 percent he garnered in March. His 53 percent trust rating was also 16 percentage points lower than the 69 percent he obtained in the March survey.

Results showed that both the disapproval and distrust ratings of the Philippine president were at 14 percent, which when subtracted from his approval and trust ratings, resulted in a net approval rating of +42 and net trust rating of +39.

The latest Pulse Asia survey involved face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents nationwide.