Anti-corruption campaign suffers ratings drop

MANILA, Philippines — Public appreciation of the Aquino administration’s anti-corruption campaign dropped at the height of the pork barrel controversy involving Janet Lim Napoles. It went down 12 percentage points from 59 points in March to 47 points in September, according to a newly released Pulse Asia survey. 

The survey was conducted between September 14-27, when various senators were linked to the scam allegedly masterminded by Napoles. The survey period also covers her surrender to President Aquino in Malacañang. 

Priorities changed since the last survey in June, when the most urgent national concern was controlling inflation (61%). Inflation as a national concern dropped 13 points in this survey.

In contrast, concern regarding corruption increased 17 points during this period – from 31% to 48%. 

Fighting graft and corruption in government (48%) and controlling inflation (48%) are still the Filipinos’ most urgent national concerns, according to the survey. 

There’s also a huge increase in concern regarding the peace and order situation in the country – from 15% to 22% or an increase of 7 points. The same survey period covers the 3-week standoff in Zamboanga City between government troops and members of the Moro National Liberation Front.

An earlier release by Pulse Asia showed no significant change in the approval rating of President Aquino.

Pulse Asia chief research fellow Ana Tabunda told Rappler the survey respondents seem to differentiate the President from his administration, which includes all the institutions and personalities dragged into the pork barrel controversy.

“That’s the whole government. While we would normally think of the executive…to them (respondents), kasama ang Congress,” Tabunda said.

“They see that he’s (the President) not the only one in government. I guess they’re saying hindi naman siya ang nangungurakot. Because they don’t’ see it lining his pockets. Nobody has said it has gone to his pockets,” Tabunda added.

A Social Weather Stations survey shows a drop in the President’s approval ratings, however. The Pulse Asia survey does not include the controversy on the executive’s Disbursement Acceleration Program, which has been tagged as the President’s pork barrel. – Rappler.com