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Friday, April 22, 2005
Palace downplays Estrada's high popularity ratings
MALACAÑANG Thursday said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will eventually win the Filipinos' trust from former President Joseph Estrada once her reforms bear fruit.
Press secretary and presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said increased trust and satisfaction in Arroyo will "naturally follow" once the reforms become successful. However, Bunye did not say when it will come.
A February 25-March 10 survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed
Estrada's net trust rating at nine percent (44 percent much trust versus 36 percent little trust).
In the same survey, Arroyo got a net satisfaction rating of -12 percent (36 percent satisfied versus 48 percent dissatisfied).
Bunye said Arroyo is "preoccupied with actual work, not so much on popularity" because the country is faced with many problems, foremost of which is the soaring price of oil in the world market.
Bunye said government is taking "all reasonable means" to cushion the impact of rising prices, including allowing a "reasonable" wage increase.
He said government is making a "strong pitch for an active wage review" by the regional tripartite wages and productivity boards because the mechanism provides a "fair and speedy venue" to tackle the issue.
"We are hopeful a reasonable adjustment in wages can be achieved without making a severe dent on the viability and profitability of enterprise," he said.
"Once more, the times call for a spirit of solidarity and give and take," he added.
Last Monday, Malacañang gave in to the transport groups holding a strike by saying that a fare rate hike is forthcoming and that they would just have to wait next month for the decision of the Land Transportation Franchising and
Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Bunye also downplayed the reported warning of the National Police of a destabilization attempt against the Arroyo government by calling it "old hat."
He said the Philippines will be able to overcome its problems and that "it will not lead to any widespread destabilization." (JMR)
(April 22, 2005 issue)
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