House and Speaker get higher approval ratings

By: Maria Laarni Mallari

In the latest Pulse Asia Survey conducted last August 31 to September 7, House of Representatives garnered an increase in its approval rating of 51% or +6 from its 45% in the survey conducted on May while the chambers disapproval rating of 9% shows a decrease from last May’s 15%.

The survey also showed improved trust on House Speaker Sonny Belmonte, whose trust rating rose to 36% from 29 % in May, and a drop distrust rating to 14 % from May’s 20%. The speaker’s approval ratings also increased 38% from 37% last may while his disapproval rating dropped to 15% from 19% on last May’s survey.

Belmonte also showed a high awareness rating of 89%.

Pulse Asia’s positive ratings reflected the result of the survey of Social Weather Station   (SWS) conducted on August 24 to 27. According to the survey, the House garnered a “public satisfaction rating also rose to 55 percent from 50 percent last May while its dissatisfaction rating dropped to 14 percent from 21 percent last May.”

The speaker also got an increase in his satisfaction rating of 40% from 36% percent n May while there is a decrease in the dissatisfaction rating of 20% from May’s 28%

Deputy Speaker and Zambonga City Rep. Ma. Isabelle Climaco says, “The higher ratings reflect the hard work and diligence of House members and the competent leadership of the Speaker, which are being acknowledged by the people through higher survey marks.”

"This should push us to work harder to complete our remaining agenda and priority reforms for the welfare of the people. Instead of celebrating, we should work harder to complete everything during the remaining months of the 15th Congress," Climaco added.

Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Neri Colmenares said that the hig rating just proves that the public appreciates the House’s “pro-people stance” on many issues.

"Speaker Belmonte and our colleagues have proven the House of Representatives is indeed the House of the people because our main thrust is to address the needs of our constituents and institute all the necessary socio-economic reforms in our society,” said Colmenares, a Vice Chairman of the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms.