President Benigno Aquino’s stance on birth control may have contributed to a dip in his approval ratings, according to a Catholic bishop.

Bishop Deogracias Iniguez of Kalookan, chairman of the public affairs committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said today “it is very possible” that those against the proposed reproductive health bill have voiced their dissatisfaction.

“[Aquino] should assess his actions as president, whether they are really for the good of the country,” Bishop Iniguez said.

The bishop said the results of the latest survey by pollster Social Weather Stations indicates how disappointed people are with Aquino’s performance.

Results of the survey released yesterday showed the Aquino administration’s approval rating dropped to 46 in March from a record high of 64 in the previous quarter.

The survey was conducted March 4 to 7.

The survey revealed that 65 percent of 1,200 respondents remained satisfied while 18 percent were dissatisfied giving the Aquino administration the “good” net rating of 46.

The remaining 16 percent were undecided.

The figure showed a drop of 18 percentage points from a “very good” rating registered in September and November last year.

The SWS, however, said the government’s rating is still higher than those of the last four administrations.

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