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Arroyo Holds Steady Numbers In Philippines
(CPOD) Jul. 27, 2004 - Gloria Macapagal Arroyo keeps a stable level of support in the Philippines, according to a poll by Pulse Asia. 55 per cent of respondents approve of the president's performance, a two per cent increase since February.
Arroyo—a Georgetown-educated daughter of a former head of state—took over as president on Jan. 20, 2001, following the resignation of Joseph Estrada. Arroyo won a six-year term in the Jun. 10 presidential election, garnering 39.99 per cent of all cast ballots.
The poll was conducted before the Jul. 7 kidnapping of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz by the Khalid Ibn al-Walid Brigade in Iraq. The captors threatened to kill the hostage unless Arroyo's government ordered the immediate removal of its 50 non-combat troops and law enforcement officers from the country.
On Jul. 12, deputy foreign minister Rafael Seguis announced the withdrawal of Philippine humanitarian forces. De la Cruz was delivered safely to the United Arab Emirates embassy in Baghdad on Jul. 20.
On Jul. 23, losing candidate Fernando Poe Jr. demanded a recount of presidential election ballots to the Supreme Court. The 30-page complaint accuses Arroyo and her supporters of committing "massive and widespread electoral fraud, anomalies and irregularities in flagrant violation of electoral laws."
In accordance with the 1987 Constitution, the Supreme Court is the only authority that can settle electoral disputes. There is no specific timetable or deadline to deal with the complaints.
Polling Data
Do you approve or disapprove of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's performance as president?
Jul. 2004 | Feb. 2004 | |
Approve | 55% | 53% |
Disapprove | 22% | 20% |
Source: Pulse Asia
Methodology: Interviews to 1,200 Filipino adults, conducted from Jun. 22 to Jul. 3, 2004. Margin of error is 3 per cent.