Arroyo's approval rating drops

Arroyo's approval rating drops

THE PHILIPPINES: Fewer Filipinos are satisfied with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, with the latest survey showing her approval rating sliding to its second-lowest level in nearly five years, an independent pollster said on Thursday.

A survey of 1,200 adults, conducted from Nov. 27 to Dec. 4, showed 24 percent satisfied and 54 percent dissatisfied, compared to 30 percent satisfied and 53 percent dissatisfied in the August-September period, the Social Weather Stations said.

The net satisfaction rating -- the difference between the number of satisfied and dissatisfied -- dropped to negative 30 percent from negative 23 percent, the second-lowest for Arroyo since May, the pollster said.

The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent.

It said that negative feelings over Arroyo's performance were evident in all areas of the country and among Filipinos from all economic classes.

The sentiments were apparently not reversed by the strong standing of host Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games, which took place during the period when the survey was conducted, or by the strengthening peso. -- AP