Former Philippine President much more popular than incumbent (Arroyo)

Erap is the nickname of the deposed former president Joseph Estrada. He was overthrown by Arroyo through the use of people power, the sort of demonstrations that Arroyo now dreads and regularly derides. Arroyo's rating makes president Bush look popular. However, to give her her due her policies are not nearly as bad as Bush's and the economy is not doing too badly. Inequality in the Philippines is the third worst in Asia but it has not increased during her term.
The ABCDE categories relate to income percentiles. As I understand it A would be the top 20 percent down to E which would be the bottom tweny percent. THe former president is much more trusted by the lowest income levels. He is being tried for corruption. The trial has been going on for years and the judgment will be coming out next month.


Erap gets 64% trust
rating; Gloria, 18%




BY ASHZEL HACHERO

DEPOSED President Joseph Estrada has a trust rating of 64 percent compared to President Arroyo’s 18 percent, according to a Social Weather Stations survey commissioned by the United Opposition.

The survey was conducted July 18-20 in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna. It had 600 respondents.

Estrada had a 66 percent approval rating from Class D and 68 percent approval rating from Class E. He, however, obtained a low 10 percent approval rating from Classes ABC.

Nineteen percent said they had "little trust" on the former president. Sixteen percent were undecided.

The survey was conducted as the P4 billion plunder case against Estrada is nearing a decision expected before Sept. 15.

Sixty-two percent said they had "little trust" in Arroyo. Nineteen percent were undecided.

Arroyo got a 28 percent approval rating from Classes ABC while 19 and 10 percent of those belonging to Class D and E said they had "much trust" on her.

Seventy-one percent of the respondents had "little trust" on Jose Miguel Arroyo while only 8 percent said they had "much trust" in him. The remaining 18 percent were undecided.

The First Gentleman got an approval rating (much trust) of 7 percent from Class ABC and 9 and 6 percent from Class D and E.

Asked if their welfare had improved under the present administration, 64 percent responded negatively. In the ABC bracket, 65 percent said "no" while only 25 percent responded positively and the remaining 10 percent were undecided.