MANILA -- The leadership of the House of Representatives on Tuesday vowed to double its efforts in passing vital legislative measures after the lower chamber suffered a 10-point drop in its approval rating in the latest Pulse Asia survey.
The survey, held from September 1 to 7, showed that the House's approval rating declined by 10 points from 66 percent in June to 56 percent.
"The result of the latest Pulse Asia survey encourages us to work double time, moving us to exert more time and effort in marshalling vital legislative measures," Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said.
"The point of governance, however, is the courage to do what is right without giving consideration on how it will fare in the opinion polls," he added.
Despite the significant drop, Andaya noted that the House still enjoys majority approval ratings under the new leadership of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"With majority approval rating, nakakatuwa lang na malaman na appreciated ng mga kababayan natin ang trabaho ng bagong House leadership (it's delightful to know that our countrymen appreciate the work of our new House leadership)," Andaya said.
Andaya said the House managed to "steer the passage into law" of key measures, such as the establishment of a national ID system and the strengthening of compliance with occupational safety and health standards, within just two months after Arroyo ascended to speakership.
He said two measures are also pending in the bicameral level, which include the 100-day paid maternity leave (House Bill 4113) and the mobile number portability bill (House Bill 7652).
He also cited legislative records showing that from Aug. 1 to Sept. 25 alone, the House approved on third and final reading 67 "vital" measures, 65 of which are still pending action by the Senate.
These include measures on rice tariffication, coco levy, institutionalization of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), expansion of discriminatory acts against women, increase of service incentive leave, Trabaho Bill, and establishment of Timbangan ng Bayan Center in all markets. (PNA)
