Estrada's approval rating on wane

Estrada's approval rating on wane

MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Joseph Estrada would still win a snap presidential election, despite falling approval ratings, an independent polling firm said on Wednesday.

Estrada's approval rating was 53 percent, according to a survey of 1,200 voters between Dec. 9 and 20 by polling firm Pulse Asia Inc.

That was down from 61 percent in the firm's previous survey in September, and 74 percent in May 1999.

A survey taken in December by Social Weather Stations Inc. and released earlier this month said Estrada had an approval rating of 44 percent.

He has since revamped his Cabinet and put on hold an unpopular plan to introduce changes to the Philippine constitution.