Gov’t gets poor marks for unsolved Maguindanao case

MANILA, Philippines – A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in December 2014 shows the Aquino administration getting a “good” overall performance rating of +34. But it suffered negative ratings on 4 issues: Maguindanao massacre (-41), inflation (-12), hungry families (-9), and oil prices (-8).

The overall rating is the difference between the 58% of the respondents who said they were satisfied with the administration and the 34% who said they were dissatisfied. There’s a big chunk of undecided, 17%.

The government’s failure to speed up the resolution of the Maguindanao massacre case has always been a sore point in the Aquino administration, which registered negative ratings on this issue since President Benigno Aquino III assumed office in 2010. 

The 2009 massacre of 58 journalists, along with relatives and supporters of the rivals of the then-ruling Ampatuan family is considered the world’s worst case of political violence.

The Aquino administration registered the best rating in helping victims of disasters (+42), defending the country’s territorial rights (+40), providing enough supply of electricity (+38), and promoting the welfare of OFWs (+38).

In a statement, Palace communications secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr said: “In the remaining months of the administration, we shall continue to ramp up the implementation of vital plans, activities and programs in order to achieve our goals of inclusive growth especially in the areas of peace and order, job security and livelihood, strengthening the purchasing power of consumers and providing justice to the victims of the Maguindanao massacre.” – Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler.com