Ratings of rejected secretaries

Four of the Cabinet appointees of President Duterte have failed to hurdle the Commission on Appointments. Their unpopularity with the commission was not, however, a reflection of their standing with the Filipino people. This piece summarizes what the first four Social Weather Surveys say about these appointees.

Perfecto Yasay, foreign affairs, until 3/8/17. Surveyed in September 2016 only. National awareness of him was 78 percent. Of those aware, 51 percent were satisfied and 12 percent were dissatisfied with his personal performance; the net +39 is classified by SWS as Good (+30 to +49).

Notable details are a top score of +51 or Very Good (+50 to +69) in the National Capital Region (NCR), and a bottom score of +29 or Moderate (+10 to +29) in Mindanao. The ratings in all other standard demographics—urban/rural, social class, sex, age and education—were Good.

Incidentally, the SWS Report Card grade on the performance of the administration on the subject of “foreign relations”—distinct from, yet related to, the performance of the foreign affairs secretary—was a Good net +39 in September 2016. It was followed by +46 and +46, likewise Good grades, in December and March.

Gina Lopez, environment and natural resources, until 5/3/17. Surveyed in September 2016 and March 2017. National awareness of her rose from 76 to 90 percent. Those satisfied with her performance were 54 and 58 percent, and those dissatisfied were 11 and 13 percent, for net scores of +43 and +45, both Good.

Notably, her 2017 scores included Very Goods of +56 in NCR, +62 in class ABC, +53 among HS (high school or more, but below college) graduates, and +59 among college graduates. All other demographic scores were Good. Compared to 2016, her class ABC score was an upgrade from a Good +38, while her 18-24 age group’s +41 was a downgrade from a Very Good +55.

Judy Taguiwalo, social welfare and development, until 8/16/17. Surveyed in September 2016 and June 2017. Awareness of her went from 62 to 79 percent. Those satisfied with her rose from 40 to 57 percent, while those dissatisfied stayed at 13 and 15 percent. This upgraded her net score from a Moderate +27 in 2016 to a Good +42 in 2017.

Her demographics in 2017 were all Good, except for a notable Very Good +52 among the youth aged 18-24, an upgrade from a Good +38 in 2016. In the Balance of Luzon, she had improved from Moderate +19 in 2016 to Good +40 in 2017.

The SWS Report Card on the performance of the administration on the subject of “helping the poor”—which is distinct from the performance of the social welfare secretary—had Very Good grades of +63, +66, +63 and +65 from September 2016 to June 2017. It has been the best subject of the administration so far.

Rafael Mariano, agrarian reform, until 9/6/17. Surveyed only in September 2016. Awareness of him was 65 percent. Of these, 40 percent were satisfied with his performance, and only 14 percent were not, for a Moderate net score of +26.

His rating was Moderate in all major areas, except the NCR, where it was a Good +42. It was likewise Moderate in other demographic groups, except for (a) the youth aged 18-24, who gave him a Good +43, and (b) HS graduates, who gave him a Good +36.

The September 2016 Report Card showed 65 percent satisfied, and only 12 percent dissatisfied, with the performance of the administration in “distributing lands to deserving tillers under land reform,” for a Very Good grade of +53.

Contact mahar.mangahas@sws.org.ph.