Many Filipinos still believe in Aquino’s leadership — Palace

President Aquino takes time out for a photo-op while inspecting the controversial bunkhouses (Photo : getrealphilippines.com)

MANILA — Many Filipinos continue to believe in the leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on Thursday.

This was the Palace’s reaction to the latest Pulse Asia survey that showed that “around 4 out of 10 Filipinos do not think President Aquino should step down from office now”.

“Malinaw na pagpapahayag ng saloobin ng ating mga mamamayan, ng mga boss, na ang nakararami sa kanila ay naniniwala sa kanyang pamumuno at nais na tapusin niya ang kanyang termino at gampanan ang kanyang sinumpaang tungkulin,” Secretary Coloma said.

(Our countrymen, our bosses, clearly expressed their sentiments — that many of them still believe in [President Aquino’s] leadership and want him to finish his term and fulfill his sworn duties.)

The survey, conducted from March 1 to 7 using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents, showed that 42 percent disagreed when asked if President Aquino should resign as president now.

While 29 percent of the respondents supported calls for the President to resign, about 28 percent were undecided.

The survey was conducted against a backdrop of challenges being faced by the administration, among them the unresolved questions regarding the Mamasapano operation that resulted in the death of 44 police commandos, and the suspension of congressional discussions on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Coloma assured the public that in return, the President will not disappoint his “Bosses.

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“Dahil diyan ay ibayong pagsisikap, determinasyon at kasipagan ang ipapakita ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon para maging karapat-dapat sa kanilang patuloy na pagtitiwala at pagtangkilik,” he said.

(Because of this, the President and his administration continue to exhibit utmost fervency, determination, and diligence in order to be deemed worthy of [the people’s] continued trust and support.)