MANILA, Philippines – Only 3 in 10 Filipinos trust and approve of the performance of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, according to the September 2017 Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan Survey released on Friday, October 13.

Alvarez’s nationwide approval rating dropped to 33%, down by 10 percentage points from last quarter’s 43%. His disapproval rating increased to 17% from 14% in June.

Alvarez’s trust ratings also went down by 10 percentage points – from 41% in June 2017 to 31% in September. His distrust ratings went up by 4 points to 18% from 14%.

Alvarez’s approval and trust ratings declined across all geographic areas and socio-economic classes, with the biggest drop in his home region of Mindanao. The lawmaker is Davao del Norte 1st District Representative.

His approval ratings went down by 18 percentage points in the island region while his trust ratings plunged by 15 percentage points.

Among socio-economic classes, Alvarez experienced the greatest dip in his numbers among the poor. His approval ratings dropped by 11 percentage points among the poorest Class E respondents, followed by 10 percentage  points among Class D or the masa, and percentage 9 points among the well-off Class ABC.

His trust ratings went down by 11 percentage points among Class E, 9 percentage points among Class D, and 10 points among Class ABC.

The Pulse Asia survey is consistent with the results of the September 2017 Social Weather Stations survey, which showed 34% of respondents satisfied with Alvarez while 26% were dissatisfied. The rest were undecided. (READ: Alvarez’s net satisfaction drops to ‘personal low’ – SWS)

In the SWS survey, Alvarez’s number also declined the most in Mindanao.

Major events in the House during the survey period include the decision to slash the 2018 budgets of 3 agencies, including the Commission on Human Rights, to a mere P1,000. (READ: How the House voted for a P1,000 CHR budget)

While the House eventually relented, it was the subject of online and offline criticism.

Alvarez defended the House several times, insisting that they cut the CHR budget only because of the Commission’s supposed failure to fulfill its mandate. (READ: Slash House budget instead of CHR? ‘Mga gago,’ says Alvarez) 

Alvarez’s numbers are in stark contrast to the high ratings of his Senate counterpart, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III. Both are staunch allies and party mates of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan survey was conducted among 1,200 respondents from September 24 to 30 – same period as the SWS poll.

The error margin is ±3% for the national level and ±6% for the geographic areas, both at 95% confidence level – Rappler.com