Palace admits PDAF scam pulled down Aquino rating
President Benigno Aquino III INQUIRER File Photo
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang admitted on Monday that President Benigno Aquino III’s big drop in satisfaction rating was due to public “anger and disappointment” over the alleged abuses in public funds.
“While an overwhelming majority of Filipinos remain supportive of the President and his agenda, we recognize that the increase in those dissatisfied reflects the depth of anger and disappointment of the people at the way public funds have been stolen,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing at Malacañang.
“We share this anger and disappointment. No amount of clutter should confuse the true issue at hand: Public funds were stolen by elected officials and their cohorts in the bureaucracy and the private sector,” Valte said.
From a net satisfaction rating of +64 in June, the President’s rating dropped by a record 15 points to +49 in September based on the latest Social Weather Stations survey.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Aquino administration has been reeling from the alleged abuses in the use of legislators’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), known as “pork barrel.”
Article continues after this advertisementDespite this, Malacañang assured the public of the President’s “unwavering commitment to do what is just and right” by weeding out corruption.
“These remain our bedrock principles as the Aquino administration takes on its most significant fight yet against those who have joined ranks to derail us from the straight path,” Valte said.
“Rest assured that our pursuit of justice will continue and will in fact intensify as more evidence is gathered. Those who have wronged us will be held accountable. Those who wish to bring us back to the old ways will not succeed,” she added.
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