CONGRATULATIONS to President Aquino for reaping the highest public-satisfaction rating among all who have served as the country’s presidents, including his mother, the late President Corazon C. Aquino.

In the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released early this month, the President scored the highest net satisfaction rating at +56—a classification of “very good”—showing an increase of +10 from the previous +45 rating—“good”—in June. Seventy percent of the respondents were satisfied with the President’s performance so far, a 6-percentage increase from the previous 64-percent approval rating in June.

The SWS methodology for this survey was based on face-to-face interviews of 1,200 respondents conducted from September 4 to 7. Many respondents cited their satisfaction with the President’s policies to improve the education sector, which I have mentioned in this column before.

Meanwhile, the same positive outcome held for the latest Pulse Asia survey. The “Ulat ng Bayan” survey conducted from August 20 to September 2 showed the President with a high approval rating of 77 percent and a trust rating of 75 percent. This is an increase from the agency’s survey from May 21 to June 4, which showed a score of 71 percent for both the approval and trust ratings.

The Pulse Asia survey used “face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao and had a plus or minus 3-percent error margin at the 95-percent confidence level.”

Malacañang attributes the ratings increases to “the administration’s continued commitment to eradicate corruption and poverty,” and calls this “an affirmation that more than a year into the current administration, the people’s faith in President Aquino has not wavered and has, in fact, become stronger.”

According to Palace Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, the Aquino administration commits to continue “its efforts to exert more developmental actions that would further uplift the lives of the Filipino citizenry.”

I have highlighted in my columns the administration’s efforts to institute good governance and transparency and fiscal reforms based on prudent spending and stewardship of resources with the aim of boosting inclusive economic growth.

It has always been the President’s policy to crack down on the misuse of public funds; he constantly exhorts the government to serve fellow Filipinos in the most ethical possible way through the eradication of graft and corruption and the wise and prudent use of public monies.

Among the economic boosts the Aquino administration has planned is the P72.11-billion stimulus package for 2012 (discussed in my column last week), which will serve to improve health care, education, transport, human-resource development training, critical public works and agriculture infrastructure projects, housing, relocation and resettlement projects, additional funding support for local government units, and projects that support peace efforts and other undertakings.

Other good economic news comes from Pagcor, which recently reported an increase in its earnings from gaming operations, meaning the agency can now allot a greater amount to its beneficiaries.

The Department of Labor and Employment’s PESO program has helped almost 800,000 Filipinos find jobs. The Department of Energy’s tie-ups with LGUs will mean a steady source of income for many Filipinos, at the same time promoting alternative sources of energy.

Given all these and other positive economic and social indicators, this increased sense of public approval and satisfaction in the President’s performance comes as no surprise. It is the result of the hard work of the President  and his administration in being proactive in terms of reform and implementation of programs that have clear social benefits for the Filipino people.

The 33rd Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) held last week at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City showcased the past year’s best media work that promotes positive social values in the service of God.

The CMMA is composed of bishops and is the most prestigious and trusted awards-giving body that recognizes excellence in the various mass media.

The guest of honor at the event was Vice President Jejomar Binay, who pointed out the responsibility of media practitioners in ensuring the truthfulness of their output, given their influence upon the public.

He also asked fellow Catholics to continue educating themselves and the youth to “be more discerning of information received through the Internet and use the medium to uphold Christian values,” adding that “cyberspace is another arena where each one of us can live up to our Christian duties.”

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s CMMA Awards!

Atty. Rojas is the general manager of the PCSO. Comments? E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .