GMA net satisfaction rating hits all-time low of -53%

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo’s net satisfaction rating has fallen to an all-time low of -53 percent, the lowest achieved by a Philippine president since 1986, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed yesterday.

Malacañang immediately blamed “toxic campaigning” by the opposition for the unflattering survey results.

The SWS March 2010 Pre-Election Survey, conducted from March 19 to 22, found 16 percent satisfied and 69 percent dissatisfied with Mrs. Arroyo’s performance, a record.

Her net satisfaction rating fell by 15 points from -38 (23 percent satisfied, 61 percent dissatisfied) in December 2009.

The previous record low was net -50 in July 2008, the SWS said.

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

SWS said the President’s net satisfaction ratings fell from “bad” to “very bad” in all areas except in the Visayas.

The net satisfaction rating of Mrs. Arroyo hardly changed in the Visayas, from -45 (21 percent satisfied, 66 percent dissatisfied) in December 2009 to -46 (20 percent satisfied, 66 percent dissatisfied) in March 2010.

However, it fell by 20 points in Metro Manila, from -44 (19 percent satisfied, 63 percent dissatisfied) in the previous quarter to -64 (13 percent satisfied, 77 percent dissatisfied).

It also dropped by 19 points in Mindanao, from -35 (26 percent satisfied, 60 percent dissatisfied, correctly rounded) to -54 (16 percent satisfied, 69 percent dissatisfied).

In the rest of Luzon, it declined by 17 points from -35 (24 percent satisfied, 59 percent dissatisfied) to -52 (16 percent satisfied, 68 percent dissatisfied).

The survey showed that urban satisfaction with the President fell from 22 percent in December to 16 percent in March, while dissatisfaction rose from 62 percent to 72 percent, bringing her urban net satisfaction rating down by 16 points, from a “bad” -40 to a “very bad” -56.

Rural satisfaction with the President likewise fell from 24 percent to 17 percent, while dissatisfaction rose from 60 percent to 66 percent, bringing her rural net rating down by 14 points, from -35 to -49.

The new survey also showed that satisfaction with Mrs. Arroyo has turned from bad to very bad in all socio-economic classes.

The President’s net satisfaction rating fell by 18 points in class E, from -35 (24 percent satisfied, 59 percent dissatisfied) in December, to -53 (16 percent satisfied, 70 percent dissatisfied) in March.

It fell by 17 points in class ABC from -34 (27 percent satisfied, 62 percent dissatisfied) to -51 (18 percent satisfied, 69 percent dissatisfied).

It declined by 12 points in class D or the masa from -40 (22 percent satisfied, 62 percent dissatisfied) to -52 (16 percent satisfied, 69 percent dissatisfied).

Compared to the previous quarter, satisfaction with Mrs. Arroyo among males fell from 23 percent to 16 percent, while dissatisfaction rose from 62 percent to 71 percent, bringing her net rating 16 points down from a bad -39 to a very bad -55.

Among women, satisfaction with the President fell from 23 percent to 17 percent, while dissatisfaction rose from 60 percent to 67 percent, bringing the women’s net satisfaction score 13 points down from a bad -37 to a very bad -50.

Meanwhile, the survey also showed that six of every 10 Filipinos do not believe that the President plans to extend her term beyond June 30 by running for congresswoman in the second district of Pampanga.

The March 2010 survey found that 60 percent of registered voters disagree and 24 percent agree to the survey statement that President Arroyo is running for congresswoman to prolong her term as president.

The remaining 16 percent were undecided on the matter.

The non-commissioned survey used face-to-face interviews with 2,100 registered voters, divided into random samples of 300 in Metro Manila and 600 each in balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

It used sampling error margins of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points for national percentages, plus or minus six percentage points for Metro Manila, and plus or minus four percentage points for balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

SWS defined net satisfaction ratings as follows: +50 and above, “very good;” +30 to +49, “good;” +10 to +29, “moderate;” +9 to -9, “neutral;” -10 to -29, “poor;” -30 to -49, “bad;” -50 or lower, “very bad.”

‘Toxic campaigning’

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said he was not surprised with the results of the survey.

“The drop in the President’s popularity ratings is not surprising considering that the opposition is now engaging in a toxic campaign,” Olivar said in Filipino.

“As you can see a lot of her unpopularity seems to be just a reaction to these constant media barrage but if you ask specific questions about the President, they are all optimistic,” he added.

“Some media networks have become active in continuously criticizing the President,” Olivar said.

Olivar cited a recent study showing that media reports influence up to 80 percent of voters decisions.

He said survey respondents were only asked about what they thought about the statement that Mrs. Arroyo was seeking a seat in Congress in order to extend her stay in power.

“So if this is what’s happening to the popularity levels of the President then maybe we should think about where this influence is coming from,” he said. “Who is influencing this kind of thinking about the President?”

“That is why I describe this unpopularity as non-thinking. It is just a reaction to the constant media barrage and it is a sad factor of our current situation,” he added.

Olivar said he is confident the people would eventually appreciate the achievements of Mrs. Arroyo after she steps down on June 30.

The President hopes to leave behind a legacy of building the most number of roads and bridges.

She also wants to be recognized for keeping the economy afloat in spite of the numerous challenges coming from within and outside the country.

Another presidential ally, meanwhile, gave a positive spin to the survey results.

Administration senatorial candidate Raul Lambino said that a -53 percent rating could also mean a +23 percent approval rating.

“She still enjoys 23 percent approval rating and if these are translated into votes, the President can easily deliver 10 to 12 million votes to all administration candidates,” Lambino said in Cabanatuan City during a campaign sortie. –-Helen Flores (The Philippine Star) with Marvin Sy and Jaime Laude