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MOST FILIPINOS STILL REJECT CHA-CHA - IBON
by IBON Foundation
Thursday, Jul. 29, 2004 at 10:52 AM
editors@ibon.org (632)7132729, (632)7132737 3/F SCC Bldg., 4427 Int. Old Sta. Mesa, Manila
That Filipinos still disapprove of Cha-cha is understandable, says IBON research director Antonio Tujan, Jr., especially since part of government’s motives in Cha-cha is to consolidate greater political power.
One-year moratorium or not, majority of Filipinos still do not favor the issue of Charter change (Cha-cha).
In the July 2004 IBON nationwide survey, 44.5% of the 1,681 respondents reject any moves to amend the 1987 Constitution, up from 38.1% in the April survey.
In contrast, the number of Filipinos in favor of amending the Constitution fell from 29% to 21.83 percent.
A significant number of Filipinos, however, are still either undecided or unaware of the issue of Cha-cha, up to 33.67% from a previous share of 32.9 percent.
But when asked if whether they are in favor of Congress’ proposal to change the country’s form of government from presidential to parliamentary, a big 51.7% answered on the negative, up from 42.8%. Those who approved of such moves fell to 20.94% from 27.6% on the other hand.
That Filipinos still disapprove of Cha-cha is understandable, says IBON research director Antonio Tujan, Jr., especially since part of government’s motives in Cha-cha is to consolidate greater political power.
“The shift to parliamentary government is a scheme designed to take the path of constitutional authoritarianism,” says Tujan.
“The Philippine political system, especially the existing political parties, is still immature. Thus under a parliamentary system, the ‘coalitional party’ can degenerate into an authoritarian majority,” he adds.
The July IBON Survey was conducted nationwide last June 30 to July 9 to find out the people’s perception on the economy, their income and livelihood, government’s performance and other pressing issues.
The July IBON Survey has a margin of error of plus or minus two percent.
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