Senator Sergio Osmeña III yesterday said he believes that more than anything else, the rising prices of basic commodities that are hurting the pocketbooks of the Filipino people is what is driving down the net satisfaction rating of President Benigno Aquino III.

The people are suffering from high prices, a lack of jobs and low salaries, he said in an interview with the DAILY STAR.

The people’s “pocketbook issues” were exacerbated by disappointment over government handling of the Priority Development Assistance Fund and the Disbursement Acceleration Program fund, he added.

Social Weather Station survey results released Monday showed that from June 27-30, among 1,200 respondents, there was a 16-percentage drop, from +45 in March 2014 to only +29 in June 2014, in the net satisfaction rating of the Aquino administration.

The senator said the impeachment complaints filed against the President will just be a waste of a lot of time. He said he does not expect them to get anywhere.

Osmeña also said he would like the next president of the Philippines to have better management skills, not one who only listens to his cordon sanitaire and relies on Cabinet members, half of whom are NPAs (Non Performing Assets).

Meanwhile, Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District), said “I hope the latest survey will not affect the focus of our President right now. I believe he has been doing well, especially on education, health, social services and infrastructure.”

She said the impeachment complaints against the President will be heard by the House Committee on Justice next week.

“We will check if it is valid as to form, and later on, its substance,” she said.*CPG

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