Palace: Aquino's new approval rating reaches record high

The approval rating for the Aquino administration has reached a record-high of +64, Malacanang said, citing the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. In a statement issued on Tuesday, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said 73 percent of respondents said they approve of the Aquino administration's performance. In an ambush interview, Aquino said he was pleased by his high approval rating, although he noted that he has yet to read the full details of the survey. Aquino said, however, that he is more pleased when he hears of news of Filipinos overseas who are returning to the country because they have regained confidence in the Philippine government. "I understand may reverse migration na tayo to a certain degree. People who are, shall we say, comfortable already in other coutnries have decided to come back," he said. Based on SWS's September 24 to 27 survey, only 9 percent disapprove of the administration's performance. The results of the SWS survey were made exclusive to BusinessWorld. "We have, in only the first few months of the administration, harnessed the trust and optimism of the people to provide results," Lacierda said. The previous record high for net approval was in November 1998, when the administration of then president Joseph Estrada garnered a +36 rating. The record low of -45, meanwhile, was set in March 2010 by the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, according to the Palace statement. "The administration will continue to establish the daylight of transparency and accountability on all fronts, despite vigorous opposition from those who want to return to the old ways of deceit and dishonesty for personal gain," Lacierda said. Promise to stamp out corruption Aquino is the only son of the late democracy icons former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. (1932-1983) and former president Corazon Aquino (1933-2009). Aquino sought the country's highest post in May this year with a campaign platform hinged on the promise to stamp out corruption. His first legal issuances included: