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Manila: Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's public support rating plunged last month to a record low, making her the country's most unpopular president since democracy was restored in 1986, a survey showed on Friday.
The independent Social Weather Stations survey found that 22 per cent of Filipinos were satisfied and 60 per cent dissatisfied with Arroyo's performance.
The net satisfaction rating - the difference between those satisfied and dissatisfied - plunged to negative 38 points from negative 26 in March.
The rating was the lowest for any Philippine president since 1986, when Corazon Aquino restored democracy after leading a popular "people power" revolt that toppled longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Arroyo is the longest-serving head of state since Marcos. She took over the presidency after Joseph Estrada was toppled on corruption charges in the country's second people power uprising in 2001, and then went on to win her own election mandate in 2004. She has survived four attempted power grabs and three opposition impeachment attempts on allegations she cheated in the 2004 vote. Arroyo's chief of staff, Cerge Remonde, blamed the poor ratings on high oil and food prices. He also said the public reacted negatively to Arroyo's decision to continue with a trip to the US in June despite a typhoon in the Philippines that left hundreds of people dead and missing.
President's oath
"While the president is sensitive to public opinion, she took an oath that requires her to do what is right and not what is popular," he said. While Arroyo has been credited with making economic reforms, she has grappled with unrest stemming from allegations of corruption and influence-peddling involving her husband and accusations of human rights violations.
Social Weather Stations said its nationwide survey of 1,200 adults was conducted June 27-30 and had a margin of error of three percentage points.
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