After Aquino's ratings drop, Palace PR to be more aggressive

The Communications Group of President Benigno Aquino III should not be blamed for the drop in his satisfaction and approval ratings, a Malacañang spokesperson said on Sunday. In a radio interview, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte denied that the Communications Group, under twin heads Ricky Carandang and Herminio Coloma, had been remiss in its duties. “Hindi naman siguro (I don’t think so), although we take this as a sign to really be more aggressive in promoting the President," Valte told state-run dzRB radio when asked if the Communications Group should be faulted in the dip in Aquino’s ratings. According to the latest Social Weather Stations survey, Aquino’s net satisfaction rating dropped to +51 from +64 in the last quarter of 2010, which is substantially lower than Vice President Jejomar Binay’s +74. The SWS survey is similar to the Pulse Asia survey results where Aquino’s approval and trust ratings also dropped by five percentage points each to 74 percent and 75 percent, respectively, from 79 percent and 80 percent in the last quarter of 2010. Valte said the government will have to maximize its resources, including state-owned TV stations NBN 4, IBC 13 and RPN 9, in trumpeting Aquino's achievements. “Medyo nahihiya po tayo, baka sabihin nagbubuhat tayo ng sarili nating bangko kaya medyo pagpasensyahan ninyo kami kung kakapalan namin ng konti iyung mukha namin ngayon," she said. (It’s kind of embarrassing because it may look like we’re tooting our own horns, but forgive us if we do it more aggressively from now on.) She said the Communications Group will hold a series of meetings in the coming days to draw up measures to improve its plans, including the possible placement of more advertisements regarding the administration’s achievements. “We will maximize the use of all our resources," Valte said. - KBK/HS, GMA News