Critics harp on Aquino’s ‘poor work ethic’

Opposition congressmen on Tuesday blamed President Benigno Aquino III’s poor leadership and work ethic for the decline in his popularity.

“This is a wake-up call,” said Deputy Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, referring to the latest Social Weather Stations survey that showed Mr. Aquino’s net approval rating fell to +46 from +51 in March and +64 in November 2010.

“Half the population is not satisfied with the way you’re handling the government.”

The survey, which interviewed 1,200 respondents nationwide, subtracted the percentage of respondents who disapproved of Mr. Aquino (18 percent) from those who approved of his performance (64 percent) to reach his net approval rating.

The percentage of respondents who approved of Mr. Aquino also fell from a peak of 71 percent in November 2010 to 64 percent in June 2011.

The President played down the results Tuesday.

“I am not really that concerned. Ratings will go up or down,” he said.

“What is more important to us is that we can face anybody and say with conviction that we are truly working and we are not after brownie points for our popularity.”

But Suarez said the survey results bolstered the call by Palace critics for a congressional probe of the President’s allies and cronies, who they said were getting special treatment.

“If there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear,” Suarez said.

Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay, also of the opposition, advised Mr. Aquino to improve his work ethic and practice being a “fast-paced” leader.

“More and more people are getting disappointed with this administration as they are either too slow or not addressing at all the needs of the people,” Magsaysay said.

“If this situation persists, this will have a downward spiral in the coming months.”

Gabriela Party-list Rep. Emmy de Jesus agreed.

“His non-action on people’s economic issues will really bring down his credibility. Soaring prices are affecting more and more people,” she said.

But the administration’s allies said the drop in the President’s rating was normal and to be expected.

“That is a very normal rating for a President who has an awesome rating because of the overwhelming mandate and trust given by the people to him,” House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said.

External factors such as rising oil prices might have hurt Mr. Aquino’s ratings, he said.

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, another Aquino ally, said the 5-point drop in the President’s approval rating was “insignificant” given the problems that the administration faced.

Pangasinan Rep. Kimi Cojuangco, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, predicted President Aquino’s rating would bounce back once his infrastructure and social development projects got started with Joyce Pangco Pañares.

By Maricel Cruz