SWS: Satisfaction with state institutions ‘good’

PUBLIC SATISFACTION ratings of chief government institutions under the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte settled in the “good” territory during the second quarter of the year, according to results of a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The Second Quarter 2017 Social Weather Survey was conducted on June 23 to 26 via face-toface interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide and with sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages as well as ±6% each for Metro Manila, “Balance Luzon,” the Visayas and Mindanao.

CABINET

The latest SWS poll found 52% Filipinos satisfied and 18% dissatisfied with Mr. Duterte’s Cabinet — yielding a “good” +34 net satisfaction rating (% satisfied minus % dissatisfied) that was steady and two points above the “good” +32 in March. This gives Mr. Duterte’s Cabinet a four-quarter average net satisfaction rating of “good” +34.

The current Cabinet also outdid its predecessors in the same survey.

Sought for comment, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said the Cabinet “follows after the work ethic of the President: proactive, hard- working and compassionate towards the disadvantaged and marginalized.”

“The people’s vote of confidence inspires the executive branch to redouble efforts in bringing prosperity, law and order, and peace to attain the goal of providing a comfortable life for all Filipinos,” Mr. Abella also said in his mobile phone message.

SENATE

SWS reported that 64% of respondents were satisfied and 15% dissatisfied with the performance of the Senate — garnering a “good” +49 net satisfaction score that was one grade down and three points below the “very good” +52.

“This gives the Senate a fourquarter average net satisfaction rating of very good +50 from September 2016 to June 2017,” the polling group said.

For comparison, the average net satisfaction ratings obtained by the Senate in the first four quarters of past administrations were: Fidel V. Ramos’s time, a “moderate” + 28 from October 1992 to July 1993; Joseph E. Estrada’s time, a “moderate” +25 from September 1998 to October 1999; Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo’s time, a “moderate” + 19 from March 2001 to November 2001; and Benigno S. C. Aquino III’s time, a “good” + 49 from September 2010 to June 2011.

“The Social Weather Surveys became quarterly in 1992, so the first two quarters of the Senate under Corazon C. Aquino’s time were not surveyed. It had an initial net satisfaction rating of moderate + 26 in September 1988,” SWS noted.

HOUSE

The House of Representatives logged a “good” +34 (53% satisfied and 20% dissatisfied) in June, SWS said, although down by five points from +39 in March. This earned the House a four-quarter average net satisfaction rating of “good” +37.

Net satisfaction ratings of the House of Representatives in the first four quarters of past administrations were: Mr. Ramos’s time, a “moderate” + 25 from October 1992 to July 1993; Mr. Estrada’s time, a “moderate” +21 from September 1998 to October 1999; Mrs. Arroyo’s time, a “moderate” + 15 from March 2001 to November 2001; and Mr. Aquino’s time, a good +31 from September 2010 to June 2011.

SUPREME COURT

Finally, the Supreme Court suffered a two-point decline in the second quarter with a net satisfaction rating of “good” +38 (55% satisfied and 17% dissatisfied) from the +40 in March.

This gives the Supreme Court a four-quarter average net satisfaction rating of good + 39. Nonetheless, the current High Court’s satisfaction score is still the best among its predecessors.

Sought for comment, Ramon C. Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform, said in a mobile phone message that the good satisfaction scores of key government institutions were buoyed by Mr. Duterte’s likewise high satisfaction rating.

“The President’s high ratings usually pull upwards those of other government agencies, unless there are specific issues against these agencies,” Mr. Casiple said. —