PRESIDENT Benigno C. Aquino III simply ignored yesterday the  drop in his satisfaction ratings, stressing that governance should not be driven by surveys.

“Hindi po natin dapat intindihin ’yan, ’yung pamamalakad e hindi survey-driven. ’Yung pamamalakad po ay nagmumula sa kung ano ba ang tama kumpara sa ano ba ang mali,” Aquino told Palace reporters after inspecting a bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City, as part of government’s campaign for a zero casualty in this year’s Holy Week exodus.

Aquino said that he does not expect to be on top of the surveys on satisfaction rating.

“Ano ’yan e time to time parang…. periodic surveys ’yan, alangan naman palaging nasa taas tayo. Hindi natin maiwasan na sometimes, natatsambahan na ’yung naiinterview ay hindi pa natin naasikaso nang husto. May panahon naman na ang nai-interview ay mga naasikaso na nang husto,” the President said.

The President also admitted he has yet to see the survey but wanted to take a look at it even as he pledged to push for the necessary reforms even if it will entail sacrifices.

“Isusulong natin ’yung tama, kung minsan ’yung pagtatama ay may sakripisyong kasama pero sa ikabubuti ng nakararami,” he said.

The President likewise  defended his administration’s perceived lack of action against surging oil prices.

“Pinalalaki ’yung issue sa oil price hike, parang me magagawa tayo talaga doon,” he said.

Aquino noted that  despite the oil price hikes, the prices of basic commodities remain the same.

“Nu’ng araw ’pag nagtaas ang presyo ng krudo, lahat ng bilihin sabay na nagtataas. Ngayon po medyo nagbago na, yung inflation nanggagaling sa pangkaraniwang binibili ng mga mamamayan at imbes na tumaas ang presyo (ng bilihin) ’pag tumaas ang presyo ng krudo e hindi naman naabot ’yung ating pino-project na inflation target,” Aquino said.

Aquino’s satisfaction rating went down from “very good” to “good,” according to the survey of the Social Weather Stations conducted from March 10 to 13, 2012.

The SWS First Quarter Social Weather Report showed 68 percent were satisfied with Aquino’s performance and 19 percent were not, resulting in a net satisfaction rating of +49. This figure was down by nine points from the President’s “very good” net satisfaction rating of +58 (71 percent satisfied, 13 percent dissatisfied) last December, the SWS noted.

Earlier,  deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte blamed to the threats of a jeepney strike and oil price spikes the plunge in his satisfaction ratings. Efren Montano