President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Makabayan bloc member and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel claimed that the "anti-people” policies of the Marcos administration are part of the reasons behind the rise of anti-administration sentiment among Filipinos, based on a recent PUBLiCUS Asia survey.

The PAHAYAG 2023 third quarter survey, which involved 1,500 registered Filipino respondents, revealed a decline in pro-admin support. From 48 percent in the second quarter to 43 percent in the third quarter of the year.

At the same time, anti-administration sentiments grew from 18 percent in the first quarter to 23 percent.

Manuel said the rising anti-administration sentiment wasn't a surprise given the kind of bills that President Marcos has prioritized.

“Ang mga ci-nertify niya as urgent ay ang Maharlika Investment Fund Bill, Mandatory ROTC Bill, national budget na hindi pa naman agad magagamit, pero ang pagtaas ng sahod ‘di tinuturing na urgent. Pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, in general, ‘di tinuturing na urgent kahit nag-file na tayo tungkol dyan sa Kamara. Ang pagtanggal ng VAT at saka TRAIN excise tax sa fuel products, hindi rin tinuturing as urgent,” said Manuel.

(The bills that were certified urgent are the Maharlika Investment Fund Bill, Mandatory ROTC Bill, and the national budget, which was not an immediate concern; while the increase in wages was not considered urgent. In general, the increase in the prices of goods was not considered an urgent matter even though we have already filed about it in the House. The removal of VAT and the TRAIN excise tax on fuel products were not considered urgent, either.)

The lawmaker expressed concern for the public's welfare amid the administration’s “anti-people” policies, and claimed the its interest lies with the billionaires, cronies, and foreign masters.

“Kaya nararamdaman na ng taumbayan, kahit ang mismong mga bumoto para sa administrasyon na ito, na ‘di sila ang prayoridad,” the militant solon said.

(The people--even those who voted for this administration--that they aren't the priority.)