President Marcos: Rice prices, not surveys will measure my governance

MANILA, Philippines — After seeing a sharp drop in his approval and trust ratings, President Marcos said the prices and availability of rice, not survey numbers, are the indicators of his governance, adding that the prices of the food staple are stabilizing because of measures implemented by the government.

“The media asked me recently about survey numbers. The truth is I do not look at the survey numbers that much. I am looking at whether the prices of rice are really going down and whether the supply of rice is really reaching all our countrymen,” Marcos said in a video posted on YouTube last Saturday.

“That is the true measure of whether I am doing the right thing. We have seen the results, the stabilizing of prices because of the price cap and the removal of the price cap,” he added in Filipino.

Marcos said his administration would implement other strategies to help farmers and ensure they are not incurring losses. He cited initiatives on irrigation, mechanization, cheap fertilizer, post-harvest facilities,

farm-to-market roads, lowering transport costs and the proper timing and balance of the importation of farm goods.

“We are doing everything to ensure that the prices of rice in the market would continue to destabilize and decrease,” he stressed. “There is no better gauge for our governance than to see our people experiencing comfort and convenience. That is my indicator: that there is no hunger or insecurity in terms of food.”

The President’s approval and trust ratings have seen “significant erosions,” falling by double digits in September, according to a nationwide Pulse Asia survey.

While a majority or 65 percent of respondents to the Sept. 10 to 14 poll said they approved of Marcos’ performance, it was lower by 15 points when compared to the 80 percent recorded in June. About 10 percent of the respondents said they disapprove of the Chief Executive’s performance while 25 percent remained undecided.

The same survey also found 71 percent saying they trusted Marcos – lower by 14 points from the 85 percent in June. Some six percent said they distrust the President while 23 percent were undecided on the matter.

In a media interview last Oct. 4, Marcos said