As 2009 comes to a close, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s approval ratings continue to drop, a Pulse Asia’s October 2009 nationwide survey revealed.

In the face-to-face interviews conducted from October 22 to 30, 2009, 51 percent of the 1,800 respondents surveyed revealed their disapproval of the President.  This greatly outnumbered the 21 percent of those who approved of Pres. Arroyo. 

Similarly, 52 percent of those surveyed distrusted the President, while only 19 percent said they trusted her.  These figures remained practically unchanged from Pulse Asia’s previous Nationwide Survey on Presidential Performance and Trust Ratings and the Performance of other Top National Government Officials conducted in August 2009.

Majority of those who disapproved of the President come from Luzon. They also come from all classes-- A, B, C and D, and are from Metro Manila.  Those who distrust her come from almost all geographic areas and classes, with the exception of those from Mindanao and class E. 

The survey found that Filipinos from class E are more accepting and appreciative of the President and trust her most, while those from Metro Manila are the least inclined to approve of her work. 

The President also increased her approval and trust scores in Mindanao during the period of August to October 2009, but those same scores declined in the Visayas. 

Four other top government officials were included in the survey and all failed to score majority approval ratings.  These were:  Vice-President Noli De Castro (43 percent approval ranking), Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (36 percent approval ranking), House Speaker Prospero Nograles (21 percent approval ranking), and Chief Justice Reynato Puno (36 percent approval ranking).

The survey was conducted during the period when former Pres. Joseph Estrada’s announced his 2010 presidential bid; Sen. Loren Legarda’s declared her 2010 plans; and Sen. Francis Escudero’s announced his departure from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

The study also covered the period when registrants lined up to register for the 2010 elections and the price freeze on oil prices was ongoing.

To read the complete Pulse Asia October 2009 survey, click here.