SWS: GMA net satisfaction rating still ‘ bad’ at -31

MANILA, Philippines – A majority of Filipino adults remained dissatisfied with the performance of President Arroyo, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) reported yesterday.

The Second Quarter 2009 Social Weather Survey found 26 percent satisfied and 56 percent dissatisfied with Mrs. Arroyo’s performance, for a bad net rating of -31.

The non-commissioned survey, conducted from June 19 to 22, used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults divided into random samples of 300 each in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao, and 600 in the balance of Luzon.

The survey also found that women are less dissatisfied with Mrs. Arroyo than men.

Among women, satisfaction with Mrs. Arroyo went to 28 percent in June from 25 percent in February. Dissatisfaction went to 54 percent from 60 percent, bringing women’s net satisfaction score to a poor -26 from a bad -35.

Among men, satisfaction with the President went to 24 percent from 27 percent, while dissatisfaction went to 59 percent from 58 percent, bringing her net rating to a bad -35 from a bad -30.

SWS said Mrs. Arroyo’s latest rating is similar to the bad net -32 (26 percent satisfied, 59 percent dissatisfied) in February 2009, but lower compared to poor -24 (29 percent satisfied, 53 percent dissatisfied) in December 2008.

The net satisfaction rating is the difference between the percentage of satisfied and unsatisfied responses.

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.”

Malacañang remained unperturbed by the latest survey results and is convinced that the accomplishments of the President should tell the story of her administration’s performance.

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said the Palace hardly notices the popularity rating of the President since it does not have much bearing on how she works and the decisions she makes.

“Mere popularity for the President is not news anymore. We will state that this President governs for performance and prosperity, not for popularity,” Olivar said.

He noted that the forthcoming State of the Nation Address of the President would outline all of her administration’s accomplishments over the past eight years.

On the other hand, Lorelei Fajardo, another deputy spokesperson for the President, lamented that Mrs. Arroyo is a victim of “malicious criticism and black propaganda,” which had an impact on her ratings in the surveys.

SWS said the President’s overall satisfaction rating has remained stable due to lessened dissatisfaction in Mindanao and the Visayas, offset by an increased dissatisfaction in Luzon.

Net satisfaction with the Chief Executive became less negative in Mindanao, at poor net -21 (31 percent satisfied, 53 percent dissatisfied) in June, from a bad -40 (22 percent satisfied, 62 percent dissatisfied) in February.

It also became less negative in the Visayas, at a poor -28 (30 percent satisfied, 57 percent dissatisfied) now, from a bad -33 (28 percent satisfied, 61 percent dissatisfied) previously.

Dissatisfaction, however, intensified in Luzon outside Metro Manila, at a bad -32 (23 percent satisfied, 55 percent dissatisfied) now, from a poor -24 (29 percent satisfied, 54 percent dissatisfied) before.

It slightly worsened in Metro Manila, to a bad -46 (19 percent satisfied, 65 percent dissatisfied) now, from a bad net -44 (21 percent satisfied, 65 percent dissatisfied) previously.

Dissatisfaction with the President eased in class E at a poor -22 (30 percent satisfied, 52 percent dissatisfied) in June, from a bad -42 (20 percent satisfied, 61 percent dissatisfied) in February.

However, dissatisfaction worsened in class ABC, at a poor -28 (27 percent satisfied, 55 percent dissatisfied) now, from a poor -19 before, and in class D or the “masa,” at a bad -34 (24 percent satisfied, 58 percent dissatisfied) now, from a bad -31 (28 percent satisfied, 59 percent dissatisfied) previously.

The survey has sampling error margins of plus or minus three percentage points for national percentages, plus or minus six percentage points for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao, and plus or minus four percentage balance Luzon. –Helen Flores and Marvin Sy, Philippine Star