By Norman Bordadora

Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—Despite a decrease of three percentage points from March to June in Pulse Asia’s Ulat ng Bayan survey, President Aquino’s public satisfaction rating remains at “near-historical highs,” the president’s spokesman said Wednesday.

“Given the margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points, the President’s performance rating of 71 percentage points remains statistically unchanged from the previous raiting of 74 percentage points recorded in March,” Edwin Lacierda said at a news briefing at the Palace.

Lacierda said the Pulse Asia numbers show “wide-ranging support for the administration’s efforts to curb corruption, pursue inclusive growth, and provide basic services to the people.”

He said the support continues despite attempts by the “enemies of reform to stoke the fires of negativism.”

Members of the opposition have criticized Aquino for his alleged inaction on what they claimed to be irregularities committed by his allies, and say this was one of the reasons for the ratings slide.