MEDIARELEASE

(September 19, 2012)

FROM:

Prof. Ronald D. Holmes President Pulse Asia, Inc.

RE:

Pulse Asias September 2012 Nationwide Survey on Performance and Trust Ratings of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Performance Ratings of the National Administration

Pulse Asia is pleased to share with you some findings on the Performance and Trust Ratings of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Performance Ratings of the National Administration from the September 2012 Ulat ng Bayan national survey. We request you to assist us in informing the public by disseminating this information. The survey fieldwork was conducted from August 31 to September 7, 2012 using face-to-face interviews. Among the news that preoccupied Filipinos immediately before and during the conduct of the interviews for the survey are: (1) the death of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesus M. Robredo in a plane crash on 18 August 2012; (2) Malacaangs confirmation that the late DILG Secretary was investigating several sensitive government matters prior to his death; (3) the appointment of Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno as the 24th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, of Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II as the new DILG Secretary and of Cavite Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya as DOTC Secretary Roxass replacement; (4) ongoing discussions on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill at the Senate; (5) the continuing tension between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea; (6) the approval of the P 351 billion flood control master plan for Metro

Manila; (7) the investigation into the alleged kidnapping of Mr. Rolito Go at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP); (8) public concern over the reported escape of former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and his brother Coron Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes, allegedly with the aid of two immigration employees; (9) a 7.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Eastern Samar that occurred on 31 August 2012; (10) the filing of tax evasion charges against former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato C. Corona and (11) in economic news, the improvement in the competitiveness ranking of the Philippines from 75th place in 2011 to 65th place this year (out of 144 countries), the 5.9% growth in the Philippine economy in the second quarter of 2012, the increase in inflation rate to 3.8% in August, the decline in electricity rates in September 2012 and the increase in oil and LPG prices. As in our previous surveys, this nationwide survey is based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above. It has a 3% error margin at the 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for each of the geographic areas covered in the survey (i.e., Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) have a 6% error margin, also at 95% confidence level. Those interested in further technical details concerning the survey's questionnaire and sampling design may request Pulse Asia in writing for fuller details, including copies of the pre-tested questions actually used. Pulse Asias pool of academic fellows takes full responsibility for the design and conduct of the survey, as well as for analyses it makes based on the survey data. In keeping with our academic nature, no religious, political, economic, or partisan group influenced any of these processes. Pulse Asia undertakes Ulat ng Bayan surveys on its own without any party singularly commissioning the research effort. For any clarification or questions, kindly contact Prof. Ronald D. Holmes, Pulse Asia President at 09189335497 or Dr. Ana Maria Tabunda, Pulse Asia Chief Research Fellow at 09189436816.

Pulse Asias September 2012 Ulat ng Bayan Survey: Media Release on Performance and Trust Ratings of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Performance Ratings of the National Administration 19 September 2012 Overall levels of appreciation for the work of President Benigno S. Aquino III (78%) and trust in him (78%) are back to October 2010 levels; significant improvements in presidential approval and trust ratings occur between May and September 2012 Almost eight in ten Filipinos (78%) approve of President Aquinos performance in the past three months and express trust in him. On the other hand, only 4% of Filipinos are critical of President Aquinos work and distrust him while 18% are ambivalent on these matters. Between May and September 2012, President Aquino enjoys significant gains in approval and trust (+11 and +13 percentage points, respectively). In addition, ambivalence on the matter of trusting or distrusting President Aquino eases during this period (-7 percentage points). President Aquinos September 2012 national approval and trust ratings (both at 78%) nearly approximate his very first presidential ratings recorded back in October 2010 (79% and 80%, respectively). (Please refer to Tables 1 to 4 and 6 to 7.) President Aquino registers big majority approval and trust ratings in all geographic areas (75% to 80% and 71% to 80%, respectively) and socio-economic classes (72% to 83% and 75% to 86%, respectively). Levels of indecision as regards President Aquinos performance and trustworthiness recorded in the different geographic areas and socioeconomic groupings are generally consistent with the respective national figures. The same observation holds true as far as presidential disapproval and distrust ratings are concerned. Relatively higher approval and trust ratings may be noted in the poorest Class E than the best-off Class ABC (83% versus 72% and 86% versus 77%, respectively). Conversely, indecision toward presidential performance and trustworthiness is slightly more manifest in Class ABC than Class E (24% versus 16% and 19% versus 12%, respectively). (Please refer to Tables 1 to 2.) Between May and September 2012, President Aquino enjoys double-digit gains in his approval ratings in virtually all geographic areas (+11 to +18 percentage points) and every socio-economic grouping (+10 to +14 percentage points). Presidential trust scores also go up by similar margins in practically all geographic areas (+12 to +16 percentage points) and socio-economic classes (+20 percentage points). Exceptions are the rest of Luzon (for approval and trust scores) and Class D (for trust rating). Furthermore, indecision toward presidential performance eases by a double-digit margin in Metro Manila (-11 percentage points). With regard to indecision toward President Aquinos trustworthiness, this declines by double-digit margins in Mindanao (-11 percentage points), Class E (-11 percentage points) and Class ABC (-15 percentage points). Distrust in President Aquino also becomes slightly less pronounced in Metro Manila during this period (-10 percentage points). (Please refer to Tables 3 to 4 and 6 to 8.)

Table 1 PERFORMANCE RATINGS OF PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

August 31 - September 7, 2012 / Philippines (In Percent) Performance Ratings Total Philippines Location NCR Balance Luzon Visayas Mindanao Socio-economic Class Class ABC TOTAL D E Approve 78 75 77 80 79 72 76 83 Undecided 18 20 20 15 16 24 18 16 Disapprove 4 5 3 5 4 4 5 1

Notes: (1) % Approve = % Truly Approve plus % Approve; % Disapprove = % Truly Disapprove plus % Disapprove (2) Figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding off or to Don't Know and Refuse responses.

Table 2 COMPARATIVE APPROVAL RATINGS OF PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

October 2010 to September 2012 / Philippines
Demographic variable

Approval
Oct 10 (A) Mar 11 (B) May 11 (C) Aug 11 (D) Nov 11 (E) Mar 12 (F) May 12 (G) Sep 12 (H)

Change*
Sep12May12 (H - G)

Total Philippines NCR Balance Luzon Visayas Mindanao Class ABC TOTAL D E

79 78 75 86 79 74 77 83

74 66 72 83 78 69 72 80

71 57 73 68 79 63 70 77

77 72 76 80 81 68 74 86

72 64 70 82 71 65 71 75

70 68 69 76 68 52 71 72

67 57 69 69 66 58 66 71

78 75 77 80 79 72 76 83

+11 +18 + 8 +11 +13 +14 +10 +12

*Change = Figures of September 2012 minus Figures of May 2012.

Table 3 COMPARATIVE UNDECIDED RATINGS OF PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

October 2010 to September 2012 / Philippines
Demographic variable

Undecided
Oct 10 (A) Mar 11 (B) May 11 (C) Aug 11 (D) Nov 11 (E) Mar 12 (F) May 12 (G) Sep 12 (H)

Change*
Sep12May12 (H - G)

Total Philippines NCR Balance Luzon Visayas Mindanao Class ABC TOTAL D E

18 20 22 12 16 21 20 15

18 26 20 13 15 26 19 14

21 28 20 25 15 23 22 18

18 23 19 18 14 25 20 12

19 25 20 12 19 24 19 17

21 21 22 18 21 35 20 19

23 31 20 23 24 32 24 18

18 20 20 15 16 24 18 16

- 5 - 11 0 - 8 - 8 - 8 - 6 - 2

*Change = Figures of September 2012 minus Figures of May 2012.

Table 4 COMPARATIVE DISAPPROVAL RATINGS OF PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

October 2010 to September 2012 / Philippines
Demographic variable

Disapproval
Oct 10 (A) Mar 11 (B) May 11 (C) Aug 11 (D) Nov 11 (E) Mar 12 (F) May 12 (G) Sep 12 (H)

Change*
Sep12May12 (H - G)

Total Philippines NCR Balance Luzon Visayas Mindanao Class ABC TOTAL D E

3 2 3 2 4 4 3 2

7 9 8 4 7 5 8 6

8 15 7 7 6 14 8 5

4 5 5 2 5 7 5 1

9 10 10 6 11 11 10 8

9 11 9 6 12 13 9 9

10 12 11 7 9 10 10 9

4 5 3 5 4 4 5 1

- 6 7 8 2 5

- 6 - 5 - 8

*Change = Figures of September 2012 minus Figures of May 2012.

Table 5 TRUST RATINGS OF PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

August 31 - September 7, 2012 / Philippines (In Percent) Trust Ratings Total Philippines Location NCR Balance Luzon Visayas Mindanao Socio-economic Class Class ABC TOTAL D E Big Trust 78 71 77 80 80 77 75 86 Undecided 18 24 19 16 15 19 21 12 Small / No trust 4 4 3 3 5 5 4 2

Notes: (1) % Big Trust = % Very Big Trust plus % Big Trust ; % Small Trust = % Small Trust plus Very Small Trust (2) Figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding off or to Don't Know and Refuse responses.

Table 6 COMPARATIVE TRUST RATINGS OF PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

October 2010 to September 2012 / Philippines (In Percent)
Demographic variables

Big Trust
Oct 10 (A) Mar 11 (B) 75 69 71 84 75 71 73 78 May 11 (C) 71 56 73 70 76 63 69 78 Aug 11 (D) 75 74 73 74 82 64 74 82 Nov 11 (E) 74 69 71 87 70 68 73 76 Mar 12 (F) 69 67 67 73 71 60 68 72 May 12 (G) 65 59 68 65 64 57 66 66 Sep 12 (H) 78 71 77 80 80 77 75 86

Change*
Sep12May12 (H - G) +13 +12 + 9 +15 +16 +20 + 9 +20

Total Philippines NCR Balance Luzon Visayas Mindanao Class ABC TOTAL D E

80 75 80 87 80 78 78 85

*Change = Figures of September 2012 minus Figures of May 2012.

Table 7 COMPARATIVE UNDECIDED TRUST RATINGS OF PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

October 2010 to September 2012 / Philippines (In Percent)
Demographic variables

Undecided
Oct 10 (A) Mar 11 (B) 20 24 22 13 18 26 20 18 May 11 (C) 22 29 21 24 17 25 23 17 Aug 11 (D) 19 21 21 21 13 25 20 16 Nov 11 (E) 17 20 19 9 20 24 18 15 Mar 12 (F) 23 24 26 19 19 28 24 19 May 12 (G) 25 28 23 25 26 34 25 23 Sep 12 (H) 18 24 19 16 15 19 21 12

Change*
Sep12May12 (H - G) - 7 - 4 - 4 - 9 - 11 - 15 - 4 - 11

Total Philippines NCR Balance Luzon Visayas Mindanao Class ABC TOTAL D E

17 23 18 12 16 21 18 14

*Change = Figures of September 2012 minus Figures of May 2012.

Table 8 COMPARATIVE DISTRUST RATINGS OF PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

October 2010 to September 2012 / Philippines (In Percent)
Demographic variables

Small / No trust
Oct 10 (A) Mar 11 (B) 6 7 6 2 6 2 7 4 May 11 (C) 7 15 6 6 7 12 8 5 Aug 11 (D) 5 5 6 5 5 11 6 2 Nov 11 (E) 9 11 10 3 10 8 9 8 Mar 12 (F) 8 9 7 8 10 12 8 8 May 12 (G) 10 14 9 8 10 9 10 10 Sep 12 (H) 4 4 3 3 5 5 4 2

Change*
Sep12May12 (H - G) - 6 - 10 - 6 - 5 - 5 - 4 - 6 - 8

Total Philippines NCR Balance Luzon Visayas Mindanao Class ABC TOTAL D E

2 2 2 1 4 1 3 1

*Change = Figures of September 2012 minus Figures of May 2012.

The national administration registers majority approval ratings (51% to 66%) on six of the 12 issues on which it is performance-rated in September 2012; approval and disapproval ratings on almost all of these issues improve between May and September 2012 Majority of Filipinos approve of the Aquino administrations efforts to fight criminality (66%), fight corruption in government (64%), enforce the law equally on all Filipinos (59%), improve the national peace situation (57%), create more jobs (51%) and increase the pay of workers (51%). Meanwhile, plurality approval ratings are recorded by the national administration on three issues strengthening public trust in government and its officials (50%), protecting the environment (50%) and defending the countrys territorial integrity (48%). Practically the same percentages of Filipinos express either approval for or indecision as regards the Aquino administrations initiatives to control population growth (42% versus 44%), reduce poverty (39% versus 38%) and control inflation (39% versus 36%). (Please refer to Table 9.) Across these issues, Filipinos are most appreciative of the Aquino administrations work in the area of fighting criminality (66%) and corruption (64%) and least inclined to approve of its efforts to reduce poverty (39%) and control inflation (39%). These last two issues are considered as urgent national concerns by 34% and 56% of Filipinos, respectively.1 Meanwhile, Filipinos are most ambivalent regarding the current dispensations initiatives to control population growth (44%) and least undecided toward its anti-crime initiatives (27%). As regards disapproval, it is most manifest on the issue of controlling inflation (26%). Singledigit disapproval ratings are recorded on the issues of enforcing the law equally on all Filipinos (7%), fighting criminality (8%), fighting corruption (8%), improving the peace situation in the country (8%) and strengthening public trust in government and its officials (8%). Levels of approval for the Aquino administrations performance on ten out of 12 issues go up significantly between May and September 2012 (+7 to +11 percentage points). Double-digit gains in approval are recorded on the issues of fighting criminality (+10 percentage points), creating more jobs (+10 percentage points), strengthening public trust in government and its officials (+10 percentage points), controlling population growth (+10 percentage points), reducing poverty (+10 percentage points) and controlling inflation (+11 percentage points). On the other hand, disapproval for the national administrations performance on 11 issues eases during this period (-8 to -14 percentage points). Levels of disapproval decline by double-digit margins on the issues of strengthening public trust in government and its officials (-10 percentage points), protecting the environment (-11 percentage points), controlling population growth (-13 percentage points), reducing poverty (-13 percentage points) and controlling inflation (-14 percentage points).2 Levels of indecision regarding the current dispensations performance on these issues remain generally unchanged during this period. (Please refer to Table 10.)

Urgent national concerns are those concerns which survey respondents say the national administration should immediately address. 2 No comparative data is available on the issue of defending the countrys territorial integrity since this is the first time the national administrations performance on this issue is being assessed in Pulse Asias Ulat ng Bayan survey.

Table 9 PERCEIVED URGENCY OF SELECTED NATIONAL ISSUES AND THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION'S PERFORMANCE RATINGS
August 31 - September 7, 2012 / Philippines (Row Percent)
% citing as One of Three Most Urgent Issues

Approve

Undecided

Disapprove

NAR*

National issues

Fighting criminality Fighting graft and corruption in gov't Enforcing the law on all, whether influential or ordinary people Increasing peace in the country Strengthening the peoples trust in the government and its officials Stopping the destruction and abuse of our environment Defending the countrys territorial integrity, particularly the on-going dispute between China and the Philippines on Scarborough Shoal and Spratlys Creating more jobs Improving/Increasing the pay of workers Controlling fast population growth Reducing the poverty of many Filipinos Controlling inflation

21 30 20

66 64 59

27 28 34

8 8 7

+58 +56 +52

14 8 13

57 50 50

35 42 39

8 8 12

+49 +42 +38

48

41

10

+38

38 50 8 34 56

51 51 42 39 39

35 34 44 38 36

14 15 13 22 26

+37 +36 +29 +17 +13

Q100 - 111. Nais naming malaman ang inyong opinyon tungkol sa pagganap sa tungkulin ng administrasyon ni Presidente Aquino sa pagharap nito sa mga sumusunod na isyung pambansa. Sa bawat isyung mabanggit, sa pamamagitan po ng board na ito (SHOW RATING BOARD), maaari bang pakisabi ninyo kung kayo ay TALAGANG APROBADO, APROBADO, MAAARING APROBADO AT MAAARING HINDI APROBADO, HINDI APROBADO o TALAGANG HINDI APROBADO sa pagganap sa tungkulin ng pambansang administrasyon sa mga isyu na ito? Notes: (1) % Approve = % Truly Approve plus % Somewhat Approve; % Disapprove = % Somewhat Disapprove plus % Truly Disapprove. (2) *NAR (Net Approval Rating) = %Approve minus % Disapprove (3) Figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding off or to Don't Know and Refuse responses.

Table 10 COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE RATINGS OF THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION ON SELECTED NATIONAL ISSUES
May and September 2012 / Philippines
Approval May Sep 12 12 (A) (B) Change* Sep12 May12 (B - A) Undecided May Sep 12 12 (C) (D) Change* Sep12 May12 (D - C) Disapproval May Sep 12 12 (E) (F) Change* Sep12 May12 (F - E)

Selected National Issues Fighting criminality Fighting graft and corruption in gov't Enforcing the law on all, whether influential or ordinary people Increasing peace in the country Improving/Increasing the pay of workers Creating more jobs Stopping the destruction and abuse of our environment Strengthening the peoples trust in the government and its officials Defending the countrys territorial integrity, particularly the on-going dispute between China and the Philippines on Scarborough Shoal and Spratlys Controlling fast population growth Controlling inflation Reducing the poverty of many Filipinos
*Change = Figures of September 2012 minus Figures of May 2012.

56 58 52

66 64 59

+10 + 6 + 7

28 25 33

27 28 34

- 1 + 3 + 1

16 17 15

8 8 7

- 8 - 9 - 8

50 42 41 41 40 ---

57 51 51 50 50 48

+ 7 + 9 +10 + 9 +10 ---

33 35 37 36 43 ---

35 34 35 39 42 41

+ 2 - 1 - 2 + 3 - 1 ---

17 23 22 23 18 ---

8 15 14 12 8 10

- 9 - 8 - 8 - 11 - 10 ---

32 28 29

42 39 39

+10 +11 +10

43 31 36

44 36 38

+ 1 + 5 + 2

26 40 35

13 26 22

- 13 - 14 - 13

10