Gatchalian: Rising Costs of Goods Likely Cause of Marcos' Low Satisfaction Ratings

Senate President Win Gatchalian believes that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s declining satisfaction ratings are primarily due to the rising cost of goods, particularly the recent spikes in fuel and energy prices. This observation comes as at least two reputable polling firms have recorded a decrease in trust and approval ratings for Marcos, contrasting with Vice President Sara Duterte's consistently favorable standing. Gatchalian emphasized that the public's primary concern is their livelihood, stating, "It is a direct hit to people’s stomachs. I believe that for people, being fed is more important than politics. So that should be the focus of the president." He urged the President to prioritize addressing the economic burdens faced by citizens. The Senate President also pointed to the economic slowdown experienced over the past year, attributing it partly to reduced government spending on infrastructure, which he linked to corruption controversies. "When there is massive corruption, the knee-jerk reaction of the government is to not spend. Because everyone is scared," he explained. To reinvigorate the economy, Gatchalian suggested speeding up infrastructure spending, but stressed the necessity of implementing proper reforms to prevent a recurrence of issues like the "flood control scam." He noted that the Senate has advised the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to ensure that budget proposals submitted to Congress are "clean." This follows past instances where budget deliberations, such as the DPWH's budget over inflated costs, led to deadlocks between the Senate and the House of Representatives. Gatchalian anticipates that President Marcos will address reforms during his upcoming State of the Nation Address. Source: GMA News Philippines