Drive vs hoarders seen behind rise in Speaker's rating

His stance against hoarders of basic goods and his decision on the controversial Confidential and Intelligence Fund (CIF) could be behind the increase in the satisfaction rating of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, an expert said.

The survey conducted from September 30 to October 4 showed Romualdez's satisfaction rating increased by six points, from 55 percent in July to 61 percent.

He was followed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who recorded a 1 percent increase in his performance rating from 57 percent in July.

The ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte went down.

OCTA Research scientists said the 12-point drop in the vice president's rating may be related to the CIF of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

Prof. Ranjit Rye of the OCTA Research Group said the CIF was among the top issues when the survey was conducted.

«The decision of the party leaders of Congress to remove the CIF of civilian agencies was a plus factor for the speaker,» he added.

Rye also thinks that the speaker's pursuit of onion hoarders and the series of inspections of rice warehouses in Bulacan could also be the reason why Romualdez's performance rating significantly increased.

President Marcos' rating dropped by 6 points from 71 percent in July, but the survey showed that 65 percent, or more than half of those surveyed, still have confidence in his ability to lead and are satisfied with his performance.

«I believe that the people can see that the government is addressing problems like high prices by imposing a price cap on rice and giving aid to the poor,» Rye said.

Romualdez, meanwhile, credited his increased ratings in OCTA's latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey to the dedication and teamwork of the members of the House of Representatives.

In OCTA Research's September 30 to October 4 poll, he received a trust rating of 60 percent and a satisfaction rating of 61 percent.

«These ratings are not just numbers. They mirror the dedication and teamwork of the hardworking members of the House,» Romualdez said in a statement. «Every decision made, every bill passed, is a result of our united efforts to serve the Filipino