SWS: Noli satisfaction rating still high

Vice President Noli de Castro continued to enjoy a high satisfaction rating among top government officials, results of the latest Social Weather Stations’ survey showed.

The Fourth Quarter 2008 Social Weather Survey, fielded from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, found 61 percent satisfied and 22 percent dissatisfied with the performance of De Castro for a net rating of +39.

The survey also found 38 percent satisfied and 33 percent dissatisfied with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (+5), 30 percent satisfied and 34 percent dissatisfied with Chief Justice Reynato Puno (-4) and 22 percent satisfied and 39 percent dissatisfied with Speaker Prospero Nograles (-17).

The non-commissioned survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults in Metro Manila, the balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The SWS describes net ratings of +50 and above as “very good”; +30 to +49, “good”; +10 to +29, “moderate”; +9 to -9, “neutral”; -10 to -29, “poor”; -30 to -49, “bad”; and -50 and lower as “very bad.”

De Castro’s new net satisfaction rating is a “good” +39 and is five points up from the “good” +34 in September 2008.

“Since he took office over four years ago, his net performance rating has been over +30 in all but three quarters,” the SWS said.

SWS said Enrile’s neutral net satisfaction rating of +5 is not as good as the ratings of previous Senate presidents at the beginning of their office.

Nograles’ new net satisfaction rating went to poor -17 in December, from -12 in September, surpassing the previous record-low of poor -15 in June, the SWS said.

Puno’s latest satisfaction rating of neutral -4 is similar to -3 previously.

“His net satisfaction rating has been neutral since SWS rated his performance in March 2007,” the survey firm said.

Meanwhile, the same survey found 52 percent of adult Filipinos satisfied and 26 percent dissatisfied with the performance of the Senate, or a moderate net +26, five points up from a moderate +21 in September 2008.

It found 40 percent satisfied and 31 percent dissatisfied with the House of Representatives, or a neutral +9, compared to a moderate +11 in the previous quarter.

On the performance of the Supreme Court, the December 2008 survey found 41 percent satisfied and 33 percent dissatisfied, or a neutral net +8, similar to the neutral +9 in September 2008.

The survey showed 34 percent satisfied and 36 percent dissatisfied with the Cabinet, or neutral net -1, similar to the neutral -3 in September.

Confidence restored

Vice President De Castro yesterday expressed optimism that the peoples’ confidence in government institutions will be restored as indicated by the people’s satisfaction with the performance of key officials.

De Castro said he is thankful to Filipinos who continue to believe in him as shown in the +39 net satisfaction rating in the newest SWS survey.

“To the people, my heartfelt thanks as I take your support as my inspiration to double my efforts especially during these difficult times. The more our people are satisfied with the way I perform my duties, the more I am inspired to do better to serve our people,” De Castro said.

The Vice President is pleased to learn that the latest SWS survey has found that 61 percent are satisfied with his performance as the second highest official in the country.

“This confirms my belief that our people prefer that government officials focus on public service rather than on politics,” he said.

Ratings immaterial

But as far as Speaker Nograles is concerned, his -17 rating in the SWS is immaterial, especially because he is not seeking higher office.

“As long as the entire House of the People image is positive then I am very happy. My own ratings don’t matter because I have no national political agenda,” he said.

The House leader said he would be more concerned if House employees are not satisfied with his performance.

Militant lawmakers attributed the drop in the popularity rating of the Speaker to his stand in pushing for the very unpopular attempt by the Arroyo government to amend the 1987 Constitution and change the system of government to federal-parliamentary.

“One very big factor is Cha-cha (Charter change). In that light, I would suggest that the House leadership abandon Cha-cha. It would be a waste of Congress’ time,” said Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, seconded by Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo.

Motivating factor

Malacañang said yesterday that the satisfaction ratings presented by the SWS on the President’s Cabinet and other officials should serve as a challenge for everyone concerned to work harder in order to improve the perceptions of the people.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said that the neutral rating received by the Cabinet as a whole should guide them and motivate them to work harder.

The SWS survey showed that only Vice President De Castro received a high satisfaction rating, but Fajardo said his performance in the survey is reflective of the performance of the entire Cabinet since the Vice President is also part of it. –- Helen Flores  with Pia Lee-Brago, Marvin Sy, Delon Porcalla, Philippine Star