Amid calls for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's resignation and the continuing congressional inquiry into the controversial broadband deal, around three in every four Metro Manilans (71 percent) disapprove of the President's performance, while almost the same percentage (76 percent) distrust her, according to the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia, Inc.

The survey conducted from February 21 to 24 covered a multistage probability sample of 300 representative adults aged 18 and above in Metro Manila, traditionally an opposition bailwick.

The same survey also found that virtually all Metro Manila residents (97 percent) were aware of the issue, with 81 percent saying they have heard of or read about the issue “many times over.”

Almost all (96 percent) were also aware of Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada Jr.'s testimony before the Senate in connection with its investigation into the alleged anomalies surrounding the NBN project.

Six personalities involved in the NBN-ZTE issue were also trust-rated in the survey. The list included Lozada, former National Economic and Development Authority head Romulo Neri, former Commission on Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos, President Arroyo, her husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, and Jose “Joey” de Venecia III.

Of the list, only Lozada managed to score a majority trust rating (52 percent), as public distrust was the most predominant sentiment among respondents toward Neri (57 percent), Abalos (69 percent), Ms Arroyo (76 percent), and the First Gentleman (76 percent).

Source: PDI by Kate Pedrosa, February 29, 2008