MEDIA RELEASE 
(March 21, 2011)

FROM: Dr. Ana Maria L. Tabunda

Chief Research Fellow
Pulse Asia, Inc.

RE: Pulse Asia’s March 2011 Nationwide Survey on

Presidential Performance and Trust Ratings
and National Administration Performance Ratings

Pulse Asia is pleased to share with you some findings on Presidential

Performance and Trust Ratings and National Administration Performance Ratings
from the March 2011 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 February 24 to March 6, 2011 using
face-to-face interviews. Prior to and during the conduct of the interviews for this survey,
the following developments dominated the headlines: (1) the impeachment proceedings
against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez at the House of Representatives; (2) the
congressional investigations into the plea-bargaining agreement entered into by former
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Comptroller Ret. Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, as
well as the alleged corruption involving former high-ranking military officials per the
testimonies of former AFP Budget Officer Ret. Lt. Col. George Rabusa and former COA
Auditor Heidi Mendoza; (3) the diplomatic row between the Philippines and Taiwan over
the deportation of 14 Taiwanese nationals to China; (4) government efforts to save three
Filipinos facing execution in China for drug trafficking; (5) the commemoration of the
25th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution; (6) the evacuation of Filipinos in Libya
amidst the ongoing civil unrest in the country; (7) the earthquake in New Zealand that
took the lives of several Filipinos; (8) the replacement of the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) Secretary, the confirmation of some presidential cabinet appointees, the
proposed filing of administrative charges versus the Land Transportation Office (LTO)
Chief for alleged complicity in the failed takeover of the LTO’s information technology
systems contractor Stradcom in December 2010 and the appointment of a new AFP Chief
of Staff; and (9) the continuing increase in the prices of petroleum products and the prices
of other commodities.

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 Asia’s 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.

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 Pulse Asia’s March 2011 Ulat ng Bayan Survey:
Media Release on Presidential Performance and Trust Ratings
and National Administration Performance Ratings

The predominant sentiment toward President Benigno S. Aquino III is one of

public appreciation for his work (74%) and public trust in him (75%)

Nearly three in four Filipinos (74%) approve of the performance of President

Benigno S. Aquino III in the past three months. Presidential approval ratings
range from 66% in Metro Manila to 83% in the Visayas across geographic areas
and from 69% in the best-off Class ABC to 80% in the poorest Class E across
socio-economic classes. On the other hand, the President records single-digit
disapproval ratings at the national level (7%) and in the different geographic
areas (4% to 9%) and socio-economic groupings (5% to 8%). Public indecision as
regards presidential performance is expressed by almost one in five Filipinos
(18%). Across geographic areas, public indecision is most pronounced in Metro
Manila (26%) and least manifest in the Visayas (13%) and Mindanao (15%).
Levels of public ambivalence across socio-economic classes vary from 14% in
Class E to 26% in Class ABC. (Please refer to Table 1)

A big majority of Filipinos (75%) trusts President Aquino. Majority trust ratings
are enjoyed by the President in all geographic areas (69% to 84%) and socio-
economic classes (71% to 78%). In contrast, less than one in ten Filipinos (6%)
distrusts the President and single-digit distrust ratings are recorded across
geographic areas (2% to 7%) and socio-economic groupings (2% to 7%). With
regard to public ambivalence on the matter of trusting or distrusting President
Aquino, this is a sentiment expressed by 20% of Filipinos. Essentially the same
indecision levels may be noted in the different geographic areas (13% to 24%)
and socio-economic classes (18% to 26%). (Please refer to Table 1)

Presidential performance and trust ratings remain generally constant between

October 2010 and March 2011

No significant changes in the performance and trust ratings of President Aquino

occur between October 2010 and March 2011 – at the national level and in all
geographic areas and socio-economic groupings. Slight changes in overall
presidential ratings may be observed during this period – approval and trust
ratings decrease by 5 percentage points while disapproval and distrust ratings go
up by 4 percentage points. Likewise, only single-digit changes in the President’s
performance and trust ratings occur across geographic areas and socio-economic
classes between October 2010 and March 2011. (Please refer to Table 2)

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 Table 1
PERFORMANCE AND TRUST RATINGS OF
PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
February 24 - March 6, 2011 / Philippines
(In Percent)

PBSA Performance Ratings Approve Undecided Disapprove

Total Philippines 74 18 7
Location
NCR 66 26 9
Balance Luzon 72 20 8
Visayas 83 13 4
Mindanao 78 15 7
Socio-economic Class
Class ABC 69 26 5
TOTAL D 72 19 8
E 80 14 6

Big Small /
PBSA Trust Ratings Trust Undecided No trust

Total Philippines 75 20 6
Location
NCR 69 24 7
Balance Luzon 71 22 6
Visayas 84 13 2
Mindanao 75 18 6
Socio-economic Class
Class ABC 71 26 2
TOTAL D 73 20 7
E 78 18 4

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

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 Table 2A
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE RATINGS OF
PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
October 2010 and March 2011 / Philippines
(In Percent)

Demographic variables Approve Change* Undecided Change* Disapprove Change*

Oct Mar Mar11 - Oct Mar Mar11 - Oct Mar Mar11 -
10 11 Oct10 10 11 Oct10 10 11 Oct10
(A) (B) (B - A) (C) (D) (D - C) (E) (F) (F - E)

Total Philippines 79 74 - 5 18 18 0 3 7 + 4

NCR 78 66 - 12 20 26 + 6 2 9 + 7
Balance Luzon 75 72 - 3 22 20 - 2 3 8 + 5
Visayas 86 83 - 3 12 13 + 1 2 4 + 2
Mindanao 79 78 - 1 16 15 - 1 4 7 + 3

Class ABC 74 69 - 5 21 26 + 5 4 5 + 1
TOTAL D 77 72 - 5 20 19 - 1 3 8 + 5
E 83 80 - 3 15 14 - 1 2 6 + 4

Table 2B
COMPARATIVE TRUST RATINGS OF
PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
October 2010 and March 2011 / Philippines
(In Percent)

Demographic variables Trust Change* Undecided Change* Distrust Change*

Oct Mar Mar11 - Oct Mar Mar11 - Oct Mar Mar11 -
10 11 Oct10 10 11 Oct10 10 11 Oct10
(A) (B) (B - A) (C) (D) (D - C) (E) (F) (F - E)

Total Philippines 80 75 - 5 17 20 + 3 2 6 + 4

NCR 75 69 - 6 23 24 + 1 2 7 + 5
Balance Luzon 80 71 - 9 18 22 + 4 2 6 + 4
Visayas 87 84 - 3 12 13 + 1 1 2 + 1
Mindanao 80 75 - 5 16 18 + 2 4 6 + 2

Class ABC 78 71 - 7 21 26 + 5 1 2 + 1
TOTAL D 78 73 - 5 18 20 + 2 3 7 + 4
E 85 78 - 7 14 18 + 4 1 4 + 3

Note: *Change = Figures of March 2011 minus Figures of October 2010.

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The national administration scores majority approval ratings on only three
(out of 11) national issues on which is it performance-rated in this survey

Out of 11 national issues on which the Aquino administration is performance-

rated in this survey, majority approval ratings are recorded on only three issues –
fighting graft and corruption (56%), fighting criminality (54%) and improving the
national peace situation (53%). Public approval is the plurality sentiment toward
the work done by the national administration on five other issues – enforcing the
law equally on all Filipinos (49%), protecting the environment (48%), creating
more jobs (48%), increasing the pay of workers (48%) and reducing poverty
(41%). About the same approval and indecision ratings are obtained by the
administration on two issues – expanding the source of government funds (44%
versus 41%) and controlling population growth (42% versus 37%). Public opinion
is split as regards the administration’s efforts to control inflation – an issue which
53% of Filipinos say the Aquino administration must immediately address – with
37% of Filipinos being appreciative, 32% being critical and 31% being ambivalent
toward the administration’s performance. (Please refer to Table 3)

Filipinos are most critical of the national administration’s initiatives to control

the spiraling prices of basic commodities (32%) and to reduce poverty (26%).
With respect to public indecision, it is most manifest toward the current
dispensation’s efforts to expand the sources of government funds (41%) and to
manage population growth (37%). (Please refer to Table 3)

Levels of public approval for the Aquino administration’s performance on six

issues decline between October 2010 and March 2011

Public appreciation for the administration’s work on six issues eases between
October 2010 and March 2011 – controlling population growth (-11 percentage
points), creating more jobs (-11 percentage points), enforcing the law equally on
all Filipinos (-9 percentage points), fighting criminality (-8 percentage points),
increasing the pay of workers (-8 percentage points) and controlling inflation (-8
percentage points). Conversely, public disapproval becomes more pronounced
during this period on the following issues – controlling inflation (+11 percentage
points), increasing the pay of workers (+8 percentage points), creating more jobs
(+8 percentage points), reducing poverty (+8 percentage points), fighting
criminality (+7 percentage points) and controlling population growth (+7
percentage points). Between October 2010 and March 2011, levels of public
indecision remain practically unchanged on all 11 national issues. (Please refer to
Table 4)

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 Table 3
PERCEIVED URGENCY OF SELECTED NATIONAL ISSUES AND
THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION'S PERFORMANCE RATINGS
February 24 - March 6, 2011 / Philippines
(Row Percent)

% citing as One
of Three Most Approve Undecided Disapprove NAR*
National issues Urgent Issues
Fighting graft and corruption 38 56 29 15 +41
in government
Fighting criminality 18 54 30 17 +37
Increasing peace in the country 22 53 31 16 +37
Enforcing the law to all, whether 15 49 35 15 +34
influential or ordinary people
Stopping the destruction and 12 48 36 16 +32
abuse of our environment
Creation of more jobs 41 48 33 19 +29
Expanding the source of funds -- 7 44 41 15 +29
whether they be taxes or debts --
to run government and its
various programs and projects
Improving/Increasing the 48 48 29 22 +26
pay of workers
Controlling fast population growth 10 42 37 20 +22
Reducing the poverty of 36 41 33 26 +15
many Filipinos
Controlling inflation 53 37 31 32 + 5

Q76 - 86. 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.

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 Table 4
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE RATINGS OF THE NATIONAL
ADMINISTRATION ON SELECTED NATIONAL ISSUES
October 2010 and March 2011 / Philippines

Approval Change* Undecided Change* Disapproval Change*

Oct Mar Mar11 - Oct Mar Mar11 - Oct Mar Mar11 -
Selected National Issues 10 11 Oct10 10 11 Oct10 10 11 Oct10

Fighting graft and corruption 57 56 - 1 30 29 - 1 13 15 + 2

in government
Fighting criminality 62 54 - 8 28 30 + 2 10 17 + 7
Increasing peace in the country 56 53 - 3 32 31 - 1 12 16 + 4
Enforcing the law to all, whether 58 49 - 9 33 35 + 2 9 15 + 6
influential or ordinary people
Improving/Increasing the 56 48 - 8 31 29 - 2 14 22 + 8
pay of workers
Creation of more jobs 59 48 - 11 30 33 + 3 11 19 + 8
Stopping the destruction and 51 48 - 3 37 36 - 1 13 16 + 3
abuse of our environment
Expanding the source of funds – 48 44 - 4 42 41 - 1 10 15 + 5
whether they be taxes or debts --
to run government and its
various programs and projects
Controlling fast population growth 53 42 - 11 34 37 + 3 13 20 + 7
Reducing the poverty of 47 41 - 6 35 33 - 2 18 26 + 8
many Filipinos
Controlling inflation 45 37 - 8 34 31 - 3 21 32 +11

*Change = Figures of March 2011 minus Figures of October 2010.