PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday said the drop in his approval and trust ratings was not surprising given the current difficulties being faced by the public, such as the high prices of rice.
“It’s not surprising. People are having a hard time,” the President said in an interview after the distribution of smuggled rice to indigent families in Taguig City.
The latest Pulse Asia survey showed Marcos’ approval rating dropped by 15 points to 65 percent in September from 80 percent in June while his trust rating dropped by 14 points to 71 percent from 85 percent.
The President said among the main concerns of the public is the rising prices of rice, which has a huge impact compared to other agricultural products.
“I completely understand it. And that’s why we’re working very, very hard to make sure that this comes up again, not because of the survey. That’s not important to me. What’s important to me is that we make sure that people have enough to eat and that it is affordable to them,” he said.
Marcos added that the public cannot be blamed because they are really suffering.
“That’s why we’re doing all of these things. That’s why we’re doing all of the things to try and maintain the prices at a level that is affordable to our people,” he said.
Marcos reiterated that there is a stable supply of rice, adding the high prices are caused by the smugglers, hoarders and price manipulators.
He also announced the lifting of the price cap on regular and well-milled rice on the recommendation of the trade and agriculture departments.
