SWS SURVEYS OF PUBLIC OPINION ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 28 - SWS... · 2019-10-07 · Opinions...

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Copyright © 2017Social Weather Stations

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Opinions on Constitutional Amendments and Charter Change

Social Weather Surveys of 1986 to 2016

SWS SURVEYS OF

PUBLIC OPINION

ON CONSTITUTIONAL

AMENDMENTS

A Compilation of Findings from

Social Weather Surveys of 1986-2016

Submitted to the Committee on Constitutional Amendments

of the House of Representatives, 12 April 2017

1



INTRODUCTION

In a letter dated 6 December 2016, the Committee on Constitutional

Amendments of the House of Representatives requested Social

Weather Stations (SWS) research materials related to constitutional

amendments or charter change.

In response, SWS went through its data archives to identify and

organize all survey items related to the topic, as of the end of 2016. This

resulted in 80 survey items, many of which were done more than once.

There were 15 separate items initiated during the time of President

Corazon Aquino, 21 items during the time of President Fidel Ramos, 8

items during the time of President Joseph Estrada, 28 items during the

time of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and 8 items during the time

of President Benigno Aquino III.

The resulting compilation of 80 items is presented here in chronological

order, with time series data arranged according to their respective first

data points.

2


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1. These are results from nationally representative

surveys with typical sample sizes of 1,200 adults (300

each from NCR, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao).

2. For the sample size of 1,200, the error margins are:

TECHNICAL NOTES

Area Sample Size Error Margin

Philippines 1200 ±3%

National Capital Region 300 ±6%

Balance Luzon 300 ±6%

Visayas 300 ±6%

Mindanao 300 ±6%



3. SWS terminology for net agreement and net approval:

TECHNICAL NOTES

+50 and above Extremely Strong

+30 to +49 Very Strong

+10 to +29 Moderately Strong

+9 to -9 Neutral

-10 to -29 Moderately Weak

-30 to -49 Very Weak

-50 and below Extremely Weak

3


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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1/19

Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO: 1986-1992

1

Q: In your opinion, is it necessary to wait for a new

Constitution before we have local elections (Mayor,

Governor) or not? (May 1986)

69% Wait

2Agree/Disagree: “The 1973 Constitution should be

changed.” (May 1986)

+37 net

agreement

3

Q: The government has decided that the new draft of the

Constitution should be made by a group or commission of

30 to 50 people. Do you think that is (Too many, Just right,

Too few) in order to make a good Constitution for the

Philippines? (May 1986)

59% Just

Right

4

Q: If it were up to you, how would you want to choose the

people to draft the Constitution: through an election or

appointment by the government? (May 1986)

86%

Election

5Q: Have you been following what has been going on in the

drafting of a new Constitution? (May 1986)

57%

Following




Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

6

Q: At present, the ownership of a company that utilizes the

country's natural resources is divided into 40% for

foreigners and 60% for Filipinos. Which of the following is

best for the country? (Oct 1986)

38% 40-60;

47%

Decrease

share for

foreigners

7

Q: Once there is a new Constitution, which would you

prefer: elect new officials, or allow current official to serve

their terms? (Oct 1986)

81% Serve

their terms

8

Q: Have you attended any meeting or other occasion where

the topic is the planned Constitution? (Oct 1986 & Mar

1987)

80% have

not attended

9

Q: Which of these two following legislative systems do you

prefer: One branch of congress or two? (Oct 1968 & Dec

1993)

70%

Bicameral

system

10Q: Have you read the new Philippine Constitution? (Mar

1987)

68% have

not read

4


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TABLE OF CONTENTS 3/19Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

11

Q: Are you aware that according to the Constitution, Cory

Aquino is disqualified from being re-elected as president

after her term in 1992? (Mar 1989)

60% Aware

12Q: In your opinion, will the country benefit or not if a

president is permitted to be re-elected? (Mar 1989)

51% will not

benefit

13

Q: If a president is allowed to be re-elected and President

Cory Aquino runs in 1992, will you… (Definitely vote for her;

Vote for others; Choose later, depending on who will run;

Not vote) (Mar 1989 & Dec 1990)

50% Choose

later, depen-

ding on who

will run

14

Q: In your opinion, would it be good or not good for the

country for Cory Aquino to have a second term of office as

president? (Jul 1991)

66% Not

good

15

Q: As far as you know, is Cory Aquino allowed or not

allowed to run for president again under the Constitution?

IF NO: Are you in favor or not in favor of amending the

Constitution to allow Cory Aquino to run for re-election in

1992? (Mar 1991)

47% Not

allowed;

41% not in

favor of

amending




Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

PRESIDENT FIDEL RAMOS: 1992-1998

16

Q: Which of the two systems of choosing a president or

chief executive do you prefer? (Voted into office by citizens,

Elected by those in Congress) (Sep 1992 & Dec 1993)

91% Voted

into office

17

Q: There are people who believe that it should be possible

to change an administration through elections even if the

administration's term of office or tenure has not expired.

There are others who believe that an administration should

be changed only after it has served its term. Which of these

two views do you prefer? (Sep 1992 & Dec 1993)

64% After

tenure has

expired

18

Q: There are different methods by which the Constitution

may be amended. Which of the following do you think is the

best method? (Sep 1992)

Three-way

split

19

Q: In your opinion, are there constitutional provisions

which need to be changed now, or not? (Sep 1992 to Mar 11

[8 surveys])

67% No

5


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Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

20


which need to be changed now, or not? IF YES: Please

identify the constitutional matters you would want to have

changed. What else? (Sep 1992 to Mar 2011 [8 surveys])

Very little

need for

change; if

Yes, 8% re

Graft and

Corruption

21Agree/Disagree: “The term of office for lawmakers should

be increased.” (Dec 1993)

-22 net

agreement

22

Q: There is a provision in the Constitution called “recall”

wherein the citizenry have the right to remove an elected

official from office even before the end of his or her tenure.

Do you agree or disagree with this provision? (Dec 1993)

+17 net

agreement

23Q: In your opinion, is a change in the form of government

needed or not? (Dec 1993)

69% Not

Needed




No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

24


which need to be changed now or not? IF YES: Regarding

the method of changing the form of government, please

choose the form that you like best from the following. (Dec

1993)

69% No; if

Yes, 49%

Citizen’s

initiative

method

25

Q: Please tell us if in your opinion the term of office

according to the Constitution Should be Shortened, is Just

Right Now, or Should be Lengthened. (Sep 1995 & Jun

1996)

74% Just

right now

for Pres

26

Q: Which of these two views come closer to your own

belief: that it is right or it is not right to amend the national

Constitution now? (Nov 1995, Jun 1996, & Dec 2002)

22% Right,

33% Not

right

27

Q: There are limits in the Constitution on the number of

terms that can be served by elected public officials. Which

of these two statements comes closest to your opinion?

(Follow present Constitution; No need to end term if

performance is good) (Jun 1996)

Split; 51%

follow

Constitution

6


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Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

28

Q: According to our Constitution, a president cannot be re-

elected. Were you aware of this before or have you heard of

it only now? (Sep 1996 to Dec 1997 [5 surveys])

64% Aware

before

29

Q: Are you in favor or not in favor of changing the

Constitution now so that President Ramos can run for re-

election as president? (Sep 1996 to Dec 1997 [5 surveys])

73% Not in

favor

30

Q: Regardless of your opinion, do you think that most

Filipinos would approve of amending the Constitution so

that those officials reaching their term limit by 1998 can still

run for re-election? (Nov 1996)

71% No

31

Q: There are some who are petitioning the COMELEC and

the Court to hold a plebiscite so as to know if people are in

favor or not in favor of changing the Constitution to allow a

president to run for re-election. In your opinion, should the

petition to hold such a plebiscite be given a chance? (Jun

1997 & Sep 1997)

59% Should

not be given

a chance




No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

32

Agree/Disagree: “Church Leaders should be allowed to use

the pulpit to express their personal stand on Charter

Change.” (Jun 1997)

+4 net

agreement

33

Agree/Disagree: “Pastoral Letters can be used to voice out

opposition on government's policies such as Charter

Change.” (Jun 1997)

+10 net

agreement

34

Q: In your opinion, were the Church Leaders right or wrong

in organizing a rally on September 21, 1997, and expressing

their sentiments against amending the Constitution? (Jun

1997)

73% Right

35

Agree/Disagree: “To avoid undesirable politicking, any

constitutional amendment ought to be done after the

elections of 1998.” (Sep 1997)

+48 net

agreement

36

Agree/Disagree: “President Ramos probably has nothing to

do with the efforts of some sectors to change the

Constitution so he might run again for the presidency in the

1998 elections.” (Sep 1997)

-3 net

agreement

7


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Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA: 1998-2001

37

Q: There is a proposal to amend the Constitution in order to

allow foreigners to buy land for their residence in the

Philippines. What is your opinion about this: are you in

favor or not in favor of it? (Nov 1998)

82% Not in

favor

38

Q: Here are some events reported in the media in the past 3

months. For each one, please say if you followed the

reports Very Closely, Somewhat Closely, Just A Little, Not

At All, or if you Have Just Heard About This Now.

[“Proposals to amend the Constitution”] (Mar 1999 to Sep

2016 [15 surveys])

36%

Followed

Closely/Very

Closely

39

Q: Please tell us if in your opinion the term of office

according the Constitution is Just Right Now, Should be

Lengthened, or Should be Shortened. (Mar 1999)

68% Just

right now

for

President




Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

40


which need to be changed now or not? Regarding the

method of changing the form of government, please choose

the form that you like best from the following: ConCon with

members elected by citizens; Proposal to come from

citizenry; Proposal to come from congress. (Mar 1999)

50% Elected

ConCon

41Q: Which of these two systems of government, the

Presidential or the Parliamentary, do you prefer? (Mar 1999)

79%

Presidential

42

Agree/Disagree: “A proposal to permit foreigners to own

land for industrial or commercial use; agricultural land is

not included in this proposal.” (Mar 1999)

-20 net

agreement

43Agree/Disagree: “A proposal to allow 100% foreign

ownership in a corporation.” (Mar 1999)

-15 net

agreement

44

Q: Have you heard or read anything about the

Constitutional Correction for Development or CONCORD?

(Mar 1999)

60% Have

not read

8


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Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO: 2001-2010

45Q: How would you describe your knowledge of the

Philippine Constitution? (Jun 2002 to Sep 2016 [6 surveys])

53% Partial/

Extensive

46

Q: Regarding the method of changing the form of

government, please choose the form that you like best from

the following: ConCon with members elected by citizens;

Proposal to come from congress; Either; Don’t want any

amendment. (Jun 2002, Jun 2003, & Sep 2016)

70% Elected

ConCon

47

Agree/Disagree: “A proposal for a Parliamentary System, in

which some propose that the legislature have only one

house, and that the head of the party controlling the

legislature should also be the head of the government.”

(Jun 2002)

-3 net

agreement

48

Agree/Disagree: “A proposal for a Federal system of

government, in which there would be regional governments

throughout the country.” (Jun 2002)

0 net

agreement




Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

49

Q: Some are proposing to create a regional government for

[R's region] to replace the provincial governments. So,

there would be elections for the officials of [R's region] who

would administer and make ordinances for the whole

region, and there would no longer be governors and

legislatures for each province. For you, would this proposal

be … (Definitely good, Probably good, Undecided as to

whether good or not, Probably not good, Definitely not

good)... for our country? (Jun 2002 to Sep 2016 [5 surveys])

+24 net

Good

50

Q: Would you like the present system of government to

continue, or would you like to shift to some kind of

Parliamentary System? IF PARLIAMENTARY: In that case,

which of the following powers, if any, would you like the

President of the Philippines to keep? (Jun 2003)

70% keep

Presidential;

if Parlia-

mentary,

49% Keep

power over

Armed

Forces

9


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Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

51

Agree/Disagree: “A proposal to amend the Constitution to

allow any one of [the former presidents] to become

Prime Minister in a parliamentary system.” (Aug 2004 & May

2005)

-30 net

agreement

52Agree/Disagree: “There should be fewer legal restrictions

on foreign investment in the Philippines.” (Aug 2004)

+1 net

agreement

53Agree/Disagree: “Extensive discussion and debate on

Charter Change should now begin.” (Sep 2005)

+19 net

agreement

54Agree/Disagree: “Now is a good time to make changes in

the Constitution.” (Sep 2005)

+17 net

agreement

55

Approve/Disapprove: “An amendment which would require

President Arroyo to leave office before the end of her term

in 2010.” (Dec 2005 & Mar 2006)

+28 net

approval

56

Approve/Disapprove: “An amendment which would allow

President Arroyo to become Prime Minister in a

Parliamentary Government.” (Dec 2005 & Mar 2006)

-37 net

approval




Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

57

Approve/Disapprove: “An amendment under which the

chief executive would be elected by the legislators instead

of directly by voters.” (Dec 2005, Sep 2014, & Sep 2016)

-2 net

agreement

58

Approve/Disapprove: “An amendment which would lessen

restrictions on foreign participation in the economy, such

as owning land, investing in mining ventures and public

utilities, etc.” (Dec 2005, Mar 2006, & Sep 2016)

+21 net

approval

59

Approve/Disapprove: “A proposal that the next election be

held in 2010 instead of 2007, and that the terms of all

officials elected until 2007 will be extended until June 30,

2010.” (Mar 2006)

-25 net

approval

60Q: How much do you know of the proposals done by the

Constitutional Consultative Commission? (Mar 2006)

86% Know a

little/Know

Nothing

10


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Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

61

Q: In your opinion, should the amendments be voted for

separately, one at a time, or should they be voted for as a

whole? (Mar 2006)

59% As a

whole

62

Q: If the referendum for a proposed new Constitution would

be held today and all the amendments would be voted on as

a whole, would you vote Yes / In favor of the new

Constitution or No / Against the new Constitution? (Mar

2006)

56% No /

Against

63

Approve/Disapprove: “A proposal to allow former

Presidents Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, and Joseph Estrada

to become Prime Minister in a Parliamentary Government.”

(Mar 2006)

-20 net

approval

64

Q: In your opinion, should there be a limit on the term of a

Prime Minister? IF YES: In your opinion, how many years

should be the longest term of a Prime Minister? (Mar 2006)

76% Yes;

38% 6 or

more years




Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

65

Approve/Disapprove: “An amendment under which the

Head of Government would be elected by the legislators

instead of directly by voters.” (Mar 2006)

-36 net

approval

66

Approve/Disapprove: “A proposal to have only one

chamber of Parliament, of those elected in each district and

from Party-lists, and no longer those elected from the entire

country like the present Senators.” (Mar 2006)

+13 net

approval

67

Q: If the Mayor/Governor/ Representative in Congress of

this city/ town recommends that you instead vote “YES” or

in favor of the proposed new Constitution in the plebiscite,

would you Probably vote instead the way that he/she wants,

or Probably not change your mind? (Mar 2006)

63%

Probably

not change

mind

68

Q: Regarding the following issues, would you like your

Congressman to Favor, Oppose, or be Neutral in: Revising

of the Constitution as soon as possible? (Feb 2007)

+10 net

Favor

11


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Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

69

Agree/Disagree: “If the Constitution is revised, most likely it

will remove the rule that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's term as

President ends in 2010.” (Feb 2007)

+3 net

agreement

70

Q: Assuming that constitutional amendments will be done

only after 2010, which of the following proposals do you

agree with, if any? You can mention more than one

proposal and can also suggest others. (Sep 2008)

33% No

amendment;

30% Foreign

Investment

71

Agree/Disagree: “A charter change that will allow President

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to still be the chief official of the

Philippines after June 30, 2010.” (Feb, Jun, & Sep 2009)

-54 net

agreement

72

Q: In your opinion, which of the following issues should the

next president of the Philippines focus on? (up to 3

answers) (Dec 2009 & Jun 2010)

Amending

Constitution

low priority

(18th of 20)




Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO III: 2010-2016

73Agree/Disagree: “It is necessary to amend the Constitution

to have peace in Mindanao.” (Aug 2012 & Mar 2014)

+51 net

agreement

74

Agree/Disagree: “I will vote for amendments in the

Constitution if needed in order to have peace in Mindanao.”

(Aug 2012 & Mar 2014)

+65 net

agreement

75

Q: In your opinion, is there a need to amend the present

Constitution in order to change the current Autonomous

Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM into a new and

expanded autonomous area which will be called

Bangsamoro? (Dec 2012)

-5 net

agreement

76

Agree/Disagree: “I will vote for changes in the Constitution

in order to change the current Autonomous Region in

Muslim Mindanao or ARMM into a new and expanded

autonomous area which will be called Bangsamoro.” (Dec

2012)

+13 net

agreement

12


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Chart

No.Question

Balance of

Opinion

77


restrictions on foreign participation in the owning of land.”

(Sep 2014)

+1 net

agreement

78


restrictions on foreign participation in investing in mining

ventures.” (Sep 2014)

-6 net

agreement

79


restrictions on foreign participation in investing in public

utilities.” (Sep 2014)

+10 net

agreement

80

Q: In case a candidate advocates for [amendment of

economic provisions of the Constitution] in the May 2016

elections, would you Probably vote for, Not vote for, or your

votes in May 2016 would not be affected by this issue? (Sep

2015)

64%

Probably

vote for



The presidency of

CORAZON AQUINO

1986-1992

13


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Note: Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown.

Chart 1. Q: In your opinion, is it necessary to wait for a new Constitution

before we have local elections (e.g., Mayor, Governor) or not?May 1986

28NOT NECESSARY

69NECESSARY



Chart 2. Agree/Disagree: “The 1973 Constitution should be changed.”May 1986

64AGREE

27DISAGREE

8

DON’T KNOW

* Note: No Answer and Refused responses are not shown. Net Agreement is % Agree minus % Disagree.

Net* Agreement: +37 (Very Strong)

14


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Note: No Answer and Refused responses are not shown.

Chart 3. Q: The government has decided that the new draft of the

Constitution should be made by a group or commission of 30 to 50

people. Do you think that is (Too many, Just right, Too few) in order

to make a good Constitution for the Philippines?May 1986

DON’T KNOW

515TOO MANY

59JUST RIGHT

20TOO FEW



Note: Don't Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown.

Chart 4. Q: If it were up to you, how would you want to choose

the people to draft the Constitution: through an election

or appointment by the government? May 1986

12APPOINT-

MENT

86ELECTION

15


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Chart 5. Q: Have you been following what has been going on

in the drafting of a new Constitution?May 1986

57FOLLOWING

43NOT FOLLOWING




Chart 6. Q: At present, the ownership of a company that utilizes the

country's natural resources is divided into 40% for foreigners and

60% for Filipinos. Which of the following is best for the country?October 1986

28100% FILIPINO

OWNERSHIP

19DECREASE

SHARE OF

FOREIGN-

ERS

38RETAIN THE

40%-60%

SYSTEM

9INCREASE SHARE

OF FOREIGNERS

% DIVISION IS NOT IMPORTANT

5

16


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Chart 7. Q: Once there is a new Constitution, which would you prefer: October 1986

81ALLOW PRESIDENT CORY

AQUINO AND VICE-PRESIDENT

LAUREL TO SERVE OUT THEIR

6 YEAR TERMS

19PREFER NEW

ELECTION FOR THE

POSITION OF PRESI-

DENT AND VICE-

PRESIDENT




Chart 8. Q: Have you attended any meeting or other occasion

where the topic was the planned Constitution? October 1986 and March 1987

Oct 1986 Mar 1987

20%

40%

60%

80%

Has Not

Attended

% of adults

90

80

1020 Has Attended

17


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Chart 9. Q: Which of these two following legislative systems do you prefer:October 1986 and December 1993

Oct 1986 Dec 1993

20%

40%

60%

80%

% of adults

In addition to the above,

there will be a second

branch of senators selected

nationally. All the laws

should be passed by both

branches

One branch; the assembly-

men or congressmen will

represent their respective

district, province or region40

30

58

70




Chart 10. Q: Have you read the new Philippine Constitution?March 1987

32YES / HAVE READ

68NO / HAVE

NOT READ

18


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Chart 11. Q: Are you aware that according to the Constitution,

Cory Aquino is disqualified from being re-elected as

president after her term in 1992?March 1989

60AWARE

40NOT AWARE




Chart 12. Q: In your opinion, will the country benefit or not if a

president is permitted to be re-elected?March 1989

45WILL BENEFIT

51WILL NOT

BENEFIT

BOTH WILL BENEFIT AND NOT BENEFIT

1

19


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* Note: Don't Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown. Last option was only given in the December 1990 survey.

Chart 13. Q: If a president is allowed to be re-elected and

President Cory Aquino runs in 1992, will you…March 1989 and December 1990

Mar 1989 Dec 1990

67

50

2126

12

23

20%

40%

60%

80%

Will still choose

for whom to vote,

depending on

who will run

Vote for her, no

matter who her

opponents will be

Vote for others

Will not vote, regardless of

who runs for president,

even Cory*0.2

% of adults




Chart 14. Q: In your opinion, would it be good or not good for the country

for Cory Aquino to have a second term of office as president? July 1991

31GOOD

66NOT GOOD

DON'T KNOW

3

20


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Chart 15. Q: As far as you know, is Cory Aquino allowed or not

allowed to run for President again under the Constitution? IF NO:

Are you in favor or not in favor of amending the Constitution to

allow Cory Aquino to run for re-election in 1992?March 1991

51ALLOWED

TO RUN FOR

RE-ELECTION

47NOT ALLOWED

TO RUN FOR

RE-ELECTION

41NOT IN FAVOR OF

ALLOWING CORY AQUINO

TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION

6IN FAVOR OF ALLOWING CORY

AQUINO TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION

According to the Constitution,

Cory Aquino is…Opinion on allowing Cory

Aquino to run again



The presidency of

FIDEL RAMOS

1992-1998

21


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Chart 16. Q: Which of the two systems of choosing a president

or chief executive do you prefer? September 1992 and December 1993

Sep 1992 Dec 1993

20%

40%

60%

80%

% of adults

9791

3 9

Elected by those

in Congress

Voted Into Office

by Citizens



Sep 1992 Dec 1993


Chart 17. Q: There are people who believe that it should be possible to

change an administration through elections even if the

administration's term of office or tenure has not expired. There are

others who believe that an administration should be changed only

after it has served its term. Which of these two views do you prefer?September 1992 and December 1993

20%

40%

60%

80%

Should be changed

only after tenure has

expired

Should be possible to

change even if tenure

has not expired

% of adults

4336

5764

22


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Chart 18. Q: There are different methods by which the Constitution may

be amended. Which of the following do you think is the best method?September 1992

30THE DELEGATES ELECTED

BY THE PEOPLE IN A CONSTI-

TUTIONAL CONVENTION WILL

MAKE THE AMENDMENTS IN THE

CONSTITUTION

37MEMBERS OF

CONGRESS

WILL MAKE THE

AMENDMENTS IN

THE CONSTITUTION

33THE CITIZENS

THEMSELVES

WILL MAKE THE

AMENDMENTS IN THE

CONSTITUTION



Chart 19. Q: In your opinion, are there constitutional provisions

which need to be changed now, or not?September 1992 to March 2011

40%

14%

20%

23%

9%

21%

30%

59%

86%

80%77%

86%

79%

70%

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

YES

33%

NO

67%


% of adults

20%

40%

60%

80%

23


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Sep Dec Nov Mar Jun Dec May Mar

1992 1997 1998 1999 1999 2002 2005 2011

* Note: Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown. March 1999 number adjusted due to questionnaire error.

Chart 20. Q: In your opinion, are there constitutional provisions which

need to be changed now, or not? IF YES: Please identify the

constitutional matters you would want to have changed. What else? September 1992 to March 2011

Graft And Corruption

Economy And Poverty

Labor And Employment

OthersCrime And Policing

Bill Of RightsGeneral State Laws/Bills/PoliciesYouth And Education

Accountability Of Public OfficialsPolicies On Public OfficialsForeign Affairs

10%

20%

30%

40%

14%

20%

17%*

9%

21%

30%

33%

% who say there are constitutional provisions

which need to be changed now:



Chart 21. Agree/Disagree: “The term of office for

lawmakers should be increased.”December 1993

39AGREE /

INCREASE

61DISAGREE /

MAINTAIN

* Note: Don't Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown. Net Agreement is % Agree minus % Disagree.

Net* Agreement: -22 (Moderately Weak)

24


All rights reserved





Chart 22. Q: There is a provision in the Constitution called “recall”

wherein the citizenry have the right to remove an elected

official from office even before the end of his or her tenure.

Do you agree or disagree with this provision? December 1993

58AGREE

41DISAGREE


Net* Agreement: +17 (Moderately Strong)




Chart 23. Q: In your opinion, is a change in the

form of government needed or not? December 1993

31A CHANGE IN

THE FORM OF

GOVERNMENT

IS NEEDED69A CHANGE IN

THE FORM OF

GOVERNMENT IS

NOT NEEDED

25


All rights reserved






Chart 24. Q: In your opinion, are there constitutional provisions which

need to be changed now or not? IF YES: Regarding the method of

changing the form of government, please choose the form that you like

best from the following.December 1993

31YES

69NO

Preferred mode of amendment

49The formal initiative and petition to

change the form of government

would come from the citizenry

themselves

A Constitutional Convention

wherein the members would

be elected by the citizenry

themselves

Proposal to come from members of

Congress themselves

36

9

7Constitutional Convention members to be

chosen by lawmakers and president

Are there constitutional provisions

which need to be changed?




Chart 25. Q: Please tell us if in your opinion the term of office of the President,

Vice-President, Senator, and Congressperson according the Constitution is

Just Right Now, Should be Lengthened, or Should be Shortened.

September 1995 and June 1996 (% of adults)

20%

40%

60%

80%

President Vice-President Senator Congressperson

Sep Jun Sep Jun Sep Jun Sep Jun

1995 1996 1995 1996 1995 1996 1995 1996

9 814 9 12 7

168

64 74 56 6854 67

58 70

23 1830

2234

26 26 22

Just Right Now

Should be

Lengthened

Should be

Shortened

26


All rights reserved





Chart 26. Q: Which of these two views come closer to your own belief:

that it is right or it is not right to amend the national Constitution now?November 1995, June 1996, and December 2002


20%

40%

60%

80%

% of adults

Right to

Change Now

Not Right to

Change Now

Cannot Decide

4044

33

1921 45

40 34

22

Nov 1995 Jun 1996 Dec 2002




Chart 27. Q: There are limits in the Constitution on the number of terms

that can be served by elected public officials. Which of these two

statements comes closest to your opinion? June 1996

49IF THE

PERFORMANCE OF

THE GOVERNMENT

OFFICIAL IS GOOD,

THERE SHOULD

NOT BE ANY TERM

LIMITS, AND SO

THE CONSTITUTION

SHOULD BE

AMENDED

51THE PRESENT

CONSTITUTION

SHOULD BE

FOLLOWED EVEN IF

THE PERFORMANCE

OF THE GOVERN-

MENT OFFICIAL IS

GOOD

27


All rights reserved





Sep 1996 Nov 1996 Jun 1997 Sep 1997 Dec 1997


Aware Before

Heard of It

Only Now

% of adults

4031 36

6069 64

Chart 28. Q: According to our Constitution, a president cannot be

re-elected. Were you aware of this before or have you heard of it only now?September 1996 to December 1997

20%

40%

60%

80%

50 50

50 50



Chart 29. Q: Are you in favor or not in favor of changing the Constitution

now so that President Ramos can run for re-election as president?September 1996 to December 1997

In Favor

Not In Favor

Note: Undecided, Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown.

20%

40%

60%

80%

Sep 1996 Nov 1996 Jun 1997 Sep 1997 Dec 1997

% of adults

3826 25

61

71 73

3428

6369

28


All rights reserved






Chart 30. Q: Regardless of your opinion, do you think that most Filipinos

would approve of amending the Constitution so that those officials

reaching their term limit by 1998 can still run for re-election? November 1996

25YES / IN

FAVOR OF

ALLOWING

RE-ELECTION

71NO / NOT IN FAVOR OF

ALLOWING RE-ELECTION

DON'T KNOW

4



Jun 1997 Sep 1997

Chart 31. Q: There are some who are petitioning the COMELEC and

the Court to hold a plebiscite so as to know if people are in favor or

not in favor of changing the Constitution to allow a president to run

for re-election. In your opinion, should the petition to hold such a

plebiscite be given a chance?June and September 1997

Should Be Given

A Chance

Should Not Be

Given A Chance

Note: Undecided, Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown.

% of adults

53 59

46 3920%

40%

60%

80%

29


All rights reserved





Chart 32. Agree/Disagree: “Church Leaders should be allowed to

use the pulpit to express their personal stand on Charter Change.”June 1997 (% of adults)

13STRONGLY

AGREE

24SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE

23UNDECIDED

* Note: Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown. Net Agreement is % Agree minus % Disagree.

Net* Agreement: +3 (Neutral)

28SOMEWHAT

AGREE

13STRONGLY

DISAGREE



Chart 33. Agree/Disagree: “Pastoral Letters can be used to voice out

opposition on government policies such as Charter Change.”June 1997 (% of adults)


Net* Agreement: +10 (Moderately Strong)

13STRONGLY

AGREE

22SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE

24UNDECIDED

30SOMEWHAT

AGREE

11STRONGLY

DISAGREE

30


All rights reserved





Chart 34. Q: In your opinion, were the Church Leaders right or

wrong in organizing a rally on September 21, 1997, and expressing

their sentiments against amending the Constitution? June 1997 (% of adults)


73RIGHT

23WRONG

DON'T KNOW

5



Chart 35. Agree/Disagree: “To avoid undesirable politicking, any

constitutional amendment ought to be done after the elections of 1998.”September 1997 (% of adults)

18STRONGLY

AGREE

SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE

27UNDECIDED

8


Net* Agreement: +48 (Very Strong)

41SOMEWHAT

AGREE

STRONGLY

DISAGREE 3

31


All rights reserved





Chart 36. Agree/Disagree: “President Ramos probably has nothing to do

with the efforts of some sectors to change the Constitution so he might

run again for the presidency in the 1998 elections.”September 1997 (% of adults)


25SOMEWHAT

AGREE20SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE

33UNDECIDED

Net* Agreement: -3 (Neutral)

513STRONGLY

DISAGREE

STRONGLY

AGREE



The presidency of

JOSEPH ESTRADA

1998-2001

32


All rights reserved





Chart 37. Q: There is a proposal to amend the Constitution in order to

allow foreigners to buy land for their residence in the Philippines. What

is your opinion about this: are you in favor or not in favor of it? November 1998 (% of adults)

18IN FAVOR

82NOT IN FAVOR

* Note: Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown.



1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Chart 38. Q: Here are some events reported in the media in the past 3

months. For each one, please say if you followed the reports Very

Closely, Somewhat Closely, Just A Little, Not At All, or if you Have

Just Heard About This Now. [“Proposals to amend the Constitution”]

March 1999 to September 2016

ESTRADA ARROYO B. AQUINO PRRD


% of people who Very Closely or Closely followed

news regarding proposals to amend the Constitution

29%

41%

30%28%

30%

28%29%

38%

32%35%

37%

31%

28%

33%

36%

10%

20%

30%

40%

33


All rights reserved





President Vice-President Senator Congressperson

Chart 39. Q: Please tell us if in your opinion the term of office of the President,

Vice-President, Senator, and Congressperson according the Constitution is Just

Right Now, Should be Lengthened, or Should be Shortened.

March 1999 (% of adults)


Based on the 23% who said there are constitutional provisions that need to be changed.

6864 62 63

1523 26 23

16 13 12 14

20%

40%

60%

80%

Just Right Now

Should be

Lengthened

Should be

Shortened



Chart 40. Q: In your opinion, are there constitutional provisions

which need to be changed now or not? IF YES: Regarding the

method of changing the form of government, please choose

the form that you like best from the following.March 1999 (% of adults)


23YES

77NO

18

50A Constitutional Convention

where the members would be

elected by the citizenry

themselves

The formal initiative and

petition to change the form of

government would come from

the citizenry themselves.

The proposal to change the form of

government would come from the

members of congress themselves

32

Are there constitutional provisions

which need to be changed?

Preferred mode of amendment

34


All rights reserved





Chart 41. Q: Which of these two systems of government,

the Presidential or the Parliamentary, do you prefer? March 1999 (% of adults)

21PARLIAMENTARY

79PRESIDENTIAL

* Note: Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown.



Chart 42. Agree/Disagree: “A proposal to permit foreigners to

own land for industrial or commercial use; agricultural land

is not included in this proposal.”December 1999 (% of adults)

18UNDECIDED



20SOMEWHAT

AGREE

18SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE

12

33STRONGLY

DISAGREE

STRONGLY

AGREE

35


All rights reserved





Chart 43. Agree/Disagree: “A proposal to allow 100% foreign

ownership in a corporation.”December 1999 (% of adults)

22UNDECIDED



21SOMEWHAT

AGREE

19SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE

11

27STRONGLY

DISAGREE

STRONGLY

AGREE



Chart 44. Q: Have you heard or read anything about the

Constitutional Correction for Development or CONCORD?December 1999 (% of adults)

40HAVE HEARD/

READ

60HAVE NOT

HEARD/READ

Note: Refused and No Answer not included.

36


All rights reserved





The presidency of GLORIA

MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

2001-2010



Chart 45. Q: How would you describe your

knowledge of the Philippine Constitution?June 2002 to September 2016


Extensive

Knowledge

Partial But

Sufficient

Knowledge

Little

Knowledge

Almost No

Knowledge

Jun 2002 Dec 2002 May 2005 Mar 2011 Sep 2014 Sep 2016

ARROYO B. AQUINO PRRD

1621

2919

10 6

60 54 44

44

48

41

21 20 23

32 34

42

3 4 4 5 7 11

20%

40%

60%

80%

% of adults

37


All rights reserved





Chart 46. Q: Regarding the method of changing the form of government,

please choose the form that you like best from the following.June 2002, June 2003, and September 2016

NOTES:

• Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown.

• “Don’t Want Any Amendment” was only given as a choice in the first two instances of the question. It was not given as a choice in the

September 2016 survey.

A Constitutional Convention

where the members would be

elected by the citizenry

themselves

The proposal to amend or change

the form of government would come

from the members of Congress

themselves

Either by Congress or Constitutional

Convention is okay

Don’t Want Any Amendment2

22 1 1

% of adults

21 28 29

74 70 70

20%

40%

60%

80%

Jun 2002 Jun 2003 Sep 2016



Chart 47. Agree/Disagree: “A proposal for a Parliamentary System, in

which the legislature will have only one house, and that the head

of the party controlling the legislature would also be the head of the

government.”June 2002 (% of adults)

37UNDECIDED


Net* Agreement: -3 (Neutral)

22SOMEWHAT

AGREE17SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE

816STRONGLY

DISAGREE

STRONGLY

AGREE

38


All rights reserved





Chart 48. Agree/Disagree: “A proposal for a Federal system of

government, in which there would be regional governments

throughout the country.”June 2002 (% of adults)


14SOMEWHAT

AGREE

13STRONGLY

DISAGREE

20UNDECIDED

40DON’T KNOW

ENOUGH ABOUT

THE FEDERAL

SYSTEM

Net* Agreement: 0 (Neutral)

6

STRONGLY

AGREE

6 SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE



Jun 2002 May 2005 Dec 2005 Mar 2006 Sep 2016

Chart 49. Q: Some are proposing to create a regional government for [R's region] to replace

the provincial governments. So, there would be elections for the officials of [R's region]

who would administer and make ordinances for the whole region, and there would no longer

be governors and legislatures for each province. For you, would this proposal be …

(Definitely good, Probably good, Undecided as to whether good or not,

Probably not good, Definitely not good)... for our country?

June 2002, May 2005, December 2005, March 2006, and September 2016 (% of adults)

Probably Good

Definitely Not Good

Undecided


1015 8

3634

46 3829

2725 24 29

30

20%

40%

60%

80%12

15

13

8

12 13

8

13

15

8

12 17

Probably Not Good

Definitely Good

Net +10 +9 +11 +20 +24

39


All rights reserved





Chart 50. Q: Would you like the present system of government to

continue, or would you like to shift to some kind of Parliamentary

System? IF PARLIAMENTARY: In that case, which of the following

powers, if any, would you like the President of the Philippines to keep? June 2003 (% of adults)

Preferred system of government

30LIKE TO SHIFT

TO SOME KIND

OF PARLIA-

MENTARY

SYSTEM

70LIKE THE

PRESENT

SYSTEM OF

GOVERNMENT

TO CONTINUE


7

49Commander-in-Chief of the

Armed Forces, or the power

related to National Defense

Power to approve or not

of bills passed by

Congress

None; no need for a president

31

Power related to

foreign affairs23Power to appoint Court

judges, Commissioners,

and other officials22

Presidential powers to keep



Aug 2004 May 2005

Chart 51. Agree/Disagree: “A proposal to amend the Constitution to

allow any one of [the former presidents] to become

Prime Minister in a parliamentary system.”August 2004 and May 2005

Probably Agree

Definitely Disagree

Note: Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown. Net Agreement is % Agree minus % Disagree.

10 11

3238

33 23

Net -13 (Moderately Weak) Net -30 (Very Weak)

20%

40%

60%

80%

23

26 Probably Disagree

Definitely Agree

% of adults

40


All rights reserved





Chart 52. Agree/Disagree: “There should be fewer legal restrictions

on foreign investment in the Philippines.”August 2004 (% of adults)

27UNDECIDED



26SOMEWHAT

AGREE

14STRONGLY

DISAGREE

11STRONGLY

AGREE

21SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE



Chart 53. Agree/Disagree: “Extensive discussion and debate on

Charter Change should now begin.”September 2005 (% of adults)

25UNDECIDED

* Note: Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown. Net Agreement is % Agree minus % Disagree.* Net Agreement: +19 (Moderately Strong)

27SOMEWHAT

AGREE

11STRONGLY

DISAGREE

417STRONGLY

AGREE

14SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE

DON’T KNOW ENOUGH

41


All rights reserved





Chart 54. Agree/Disagree: “Now is a good time to make

changes in the Constitution.”September 2005 (% of adults)

27UNDECIDED


* Net Agreement: +17 (Moderately Strong)

26SOMEWHAT

AGREE

3

17STRONGLY

AGREE

15SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE

DON’T KNOW ENOUGH

11STRONGLY

DISAGREE



Dec 2005 Mar 2006

Don’t Know Enough

Chart 55. Approve/Disapprove: “An amendment which would require

President Arroyo to leave office before the end of her term in 2010.”December 2005 and March 2006

Note: No Answer and Refused responses are not shown. Net Approval is % Approve minus % Disapprove.

Undecided

2 4

10 11

2320

2428

Net +24 (Moderately Strong) Net +26 (Moderately Strong)

20%

40%

60%

80%11

30

13

23

Somewhat Approve

Strongly Disapprove

Somewhat Disapprove

Strongly Approve

% of adults

42


All rights reserved





Chart 56. Approve/Disapprove: “An amendment which would allow Pres.

Arroyo to become Prime Minister in a Parliamentary Government.”December 2005 and March 2006


Net -19 (Moderately Weak) Net -37 (Very Weak)

20%

40%

60%

80%

Dec 2005 Mar 2006

4 6

28 31

28

20

20 14

15

4

24

4Don’t Know Enough

Undecided

Somewhat Approve

Strongly Disapprove

Somewhat Disapprove

Strongly Approve

% of adults



Dec 2005 Sep 2014 Sep 2016

Chart 57. Approve/Disapprove: “An amendment under which the chief executive

would be elected by the legislators instead of directly by voters.”

December 2005, September 2014, and September 2016


Net -2 (Neutral) Net -17 (Moderately Weak) Net -2 (Neutral)

20%

40%

60%

80%

14

18

25 21

7 6

2026

30

4

24

4 1

13

24

13

26

33

Don’t Know Enough

Undecided

Somewhat Approve

Strongly Disapprove

Somewhat Disapprove

Strongly Approve

% of adults

43


All rights reserved





Dec 2005 Mar 2006 Sep 2016

Chart 58. Approve/Disapprove: “An amendment which would lessen

restrictions on foreign participation in the economy, such as owning land,

investing in mining ventures and public utilities, etc.”December 2005, March 2006, and September 2016 (% of adults)

Note: No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown. Net Approval is % Approve minus % Disapprove.

4 7 1

10 10 13

3232

30

29 2629

Net +19 Net +10 Net +21

(Moderately Strong) (Moderately Strong) (Moderately Strong)

20%

40%

60%

80% 12 16 11

12 9 15Don’t Know Enough

Undecided

Somewhat Approve

Strongly Disapprove

Somewhat Disapprove

Strongly Approve



Chart 59. Approve/Disapprove: “A proposal that the next election be

held in 2010 instead of 2007, and that the terms of all officials

elected until 2007 will be extended until June 30, 2010.”March 2006 (% of adults)

* Note: Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown. Net Approval is % Approve minus % Disapprove.

21UNDECIDED

DON’T KNOW ENOUGH

Net* Approval: -25 (Moderately Weak)

4

18SOMEWHAT

APPROVE

6

32STRONGLY

DISAPPROVE

18SOMEWHAT

DISAPPROVE

STRONGLY

APPROVE

44


All rights reserved





Chart 60. Q: How much do you know of the proposals done by the

Constitutional Consultative Commission?March 2006 (% of adults)

KNOW THEM ALL

COMPLETELY

KNOW THE MOST

IMPORTANT PARTS


40KNOW THEM

A LITTLE

46DON’T KNOW

ANYTHING

58



Chart 61. Q: In your opinion, should the amendments be voted for

separately, one at a time, or should they be voted for as a whole?March 2006 (% of adults)

38VOTE FOR EACH

AMENDMENT

SEPARATELY59VOTE FOR

ALL THE

AMENDMENTS

AS A WHOLE

DON’T KNOW


2

45


All rights reserved





Chart 62. Q: If the referendum for a proposed new Constitution would be

held today and all the amendments would be voted on as a whole, would

you vote Yes / In favor of the new Constitution

or No / Against the new Constitution?

March 2006 (% of adults)

42YES / IN

FAVOR

OF THE NEW

CONSTITUTION

56NO / AGAINST

THE NEW

CONSTITUTION




Chart 63. Approve/Disapprove: “A proposal to allow former

Presidents Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, and Joseph Estrada to

become Prime Minister in a Parliamentary Government.”March 2006 (% of adults)

* Note: No Answer and Refused responses are not shown. Net Approval is % Approve minus % Disapprove.

25UNDECIDED

DON’T KNOW ENOUGH

Net Approval: -20 (Moderately Weak)

6

20SOMEWHAT

APPROVE

5

23STRONGLY

DISAPPROVE

21SOMEWHAT

DISAPPROVE

STRONGLY

APPROVE

46


All rights reserved





Chart 64. Q: In your opinion, should there be a limit on the term of a

Prime Minister? IF YES: In your opinion, how many years should be

the longest term of a Prime Minister?March 2006 (% of adults)


22NO

76YES

34

10

12

21

75

% LIMIT

1 year

2

3

4

5

6

7-12

Should there be a term limit?

4



Chart 65. Approve/Disapprove: “An amendment under which

the Head of Government would be elected by the legislators

instead of directly by voters.”March 2006 (% of adults)

19UNDECIDED

DON’T KNOW ENOUGH


Net* Approval: -36 (Very Weak)

515SOMEWHAT

APPROVE

4

33STRONGLY

DISAPPROVE

23SOMEWHAT

DISAPPROVE

STRONGLY

APPROVE

47


All rights reserved





29UNDECIDED

Chart 66. Approve/Disapprove: “A proposal to have only one chamber

of Parliament, of those elected in each district and from Party-lists, and

no longer those elected from the entire country like the present Senators.”March 2006 (% of adults)


DON’T KNOW ENOUGH

Net* Approval: +13 (Moderately Strong)

7

19SOMEWHAT

APPROVE

6

18STRONGLY

DISAPPROVE

21SOMEWHAT

DISAPPROVE

STRONGLY

APPROVE



Chart 67. Q: If the Mayor/Governor/Representative in Congress of this

city/town recommends that you instead vote “YES” or in favor of the

proposed new Constitution in the plebiscite, would you Probably vote

instead the way that he/she wants, or Probably not change your mind?March 2006

Mayor GovernorRepresentative in

Congress

Probably Vote the

Way S/He Wants

Probably Not

Change Your Mind

Can’t Choose

* Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown.

% of adults

15 17 17

6564 63

19 18 1920%

40%

60%

80%

48


All rights reserved





26BE NEUTRAL

38FAVOR28

OPPOSE

Chart 68. Q: Regarding the following issues, would you like your

Congressman to Favor, Oppose, or be Neutral in: Revising the

Constitution as soon as possible?

February 2007(% of adults)


9DON’T

KNOW



Chart 69. Agree/Disagree: “If the Constitution is revised,

most likely it will remove the rule that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's

term as President ends in 2010.”February 2007 (% of adults)

* Note: No Answer and Refused responses are not shown. Net Agreement is % Agree minus % Disagree.

30UNDECIDED

DON’T KNOW ENOUGH


2

21SOMEWHAT

AGREE

18STRONGLY

DISAGREE

13SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE

14STRONGLY

AGREE

49


All rights reserved





Chart 70. Q: Assuming that constitutional amendments will be done only

after 2010, which of the following proposals do you agree with, if any?

You can mention more than one proposal and can also suggest others.September 2008 (% of adults)


Note that unlike previous items about suggested constitutional provisions, choices were given for this question.

20%

40%

60%

80%

33NONE

30INCREASES IN THE PROPORTION OF FOREIGN

INVESTMENT LEGALLY ALLOWED IN CERTAIN

SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY

24

13 ADOPTION OF THE FEDERAL SYSTEM

ADOPTION OF THE

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

1OTHERS



Feb 2009 Jun 2009 Sep 2009

Chart 71. Agree/Disagree: “A charter change that will allow

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to still be the chief official

of the Philippines after June 30, 2010.”February, June, and September 2009


46 52 52

1818 18

10 8 9

Net -51 Net -57 Net -54

(Extremely Weak) (Extremely Weak) (Extremely Weak)

20%

40%

60%

80%

2018 16

5 4 6

Undecided

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Agree

% of adults

50


All rights reserved





Chart 72. Q: In your opinion, which of the following issues should

the next president of the Philippines focus on? (up to 3 answers)(% of adults)

December 2009 % June 2010 %

1 Giving livelihood programs 47 Giving livelihood programs 43

2 Providing jobs 27 Providing jobs 33

3 Prices of basic commodities 26 Prices of basic commodities 32

4Bringing down prices of medicines

and other health programs26

Helping farmers and other

agricultural programs25

5Helping farmers and other agricultural

programs24

Bringing down prices of medicines

and other health programs25

6Eradicating graft and corruption in

the government23

Eradicating graft and corruption in

the government25

7 Developing the economy 22Promoting affordable houses and

other housing programs21

8Promoting affordable houses and

other housing programs21 Developing the economy 18

9Building classrooms and other

educational programs17

Building classrooms and other

educational programs16

Note: Answers other than the 20 choices given not included in rank count

Page 1 of 2



December 2009 % June 2010 %

10 Fighting crimes 9 Women’s Rights 10

11 Restoring peace in Mindanao 9 Fighting crimes 9

12 Women’s Rights 8Ensuring food security in the

country6

13 Ensuring food security in the country 8 Restoring peace in Mindanao 5

14 Giving hope to people like me 7 Programs for OFWs 4

15 Programs for OFWs 6 Giving hope to people like me 4

16Building and maintenance of public

works like roads, bridges5

Building and maintenance of public

works like roads, bridges3

17 Enacting laws 3 Enacting laws 2

18Helping athletes and other sports

programs3 CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION 2

19 CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION 2 Cellular phone calls and text rates 2

20 Cellular phone calls and text rates 1Helping athletes and other sports

programs1

Page 2 of 2

Note: Answers other than the 20 choices given not included in rank count

Chart 72. Q: In your opinion, which of the following issues should

the next president of the Philippines focus on? (up to 3 answers)(% of adults)

51


All rights reserved





The presidency of

BENIGNO AQUINO III

2010-2016



Aug 2012 Mar 2014

Chart 73. Agree/Disagree: “It is necessary to amend the Constitution

to have peace in Mindanao.”August 2012 and March 2014


7 6

29

18

31

33

Net +33 (Very Strong) Net +51 (Extremely Strong)

20%

40%

60%

80%

12 9

2133

Undecided

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Agree

% of adults

52


All rights reserved





Aug 2012 Mar 2014

Chart 74. Agree/Disagree: “I will vote for amendments in the Constitution

if needed in order to have peace in Mindanao.”August 2012 and March 2014


5 4

24

12

30

33

20%

40%

60%

80%

% of adults

97

32

44

Undecided

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Net +48 (Very Strong) Net +65 (Extremely Strong)

Somewhat Disagree



Chart 75. Q: In your opinion, is there a need to amend the present

Constitution in order to change the current Autonomous Region

in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM into a new and expanded

autonomous area which will be called Bangsamoro? December 2012 (% of adults)

37UNDECIDED


14PROBABLY

NEEDED

20DEFINITELY

NOT NEEDED

14PROBABLY NOT

NEEDED

15DEFINITELY

NEEDED

53


All rights reserved





Chart 76. Agree/Disagree: “I will vote for changes in the Constitution

in order to change the current Autonomous Region in Muslim

Mindanao or ARMM into a new and expanded autonomous area

which will be called Bangsamoro.”December 2012 (% of adults)

34UNDECIDED

* Note: Don’t Know, No Answer, and Refused responses are not shown. Net Agreement is % Agree minus % Disagree.Net* Agreement: +13 (Moderately Strong)

25SOMEWHAT

AGREE

17STRONGLY

DISAGREE

9SOMEWHAT

DISAGREE

14STRONGLY

AGREE




restrictions on foreign participation in the owning of land.”September 2014 (% of adults)

27UNDECIDED

DON’T KNOW ENOUGH


Net* Approval: +1 (Neutral)

6

25SOMEWHAT

APPROVE

15STRONGLY

DISAPPROVE

18SOMEWHAT

DISAPPROVE

9

STRONGLY

APPROVE

54


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Chart 78. Approve/Disapprove: “An amendment which

would lessen restrictions on foreign participation

in investing in mining ventures.”September 2014 (% of adults)

28UNDECIDED

DON’T KNOW

ENOUGH


Net* Approval: -6 (Neutral)

6

22SOMEWHAT

APPROVE

17STRONGLY

DISAPPROVE

19SOMEWHAT

DISAPPROVE

8

STRONGLY

APPROVE




restrictions on foreign participation in investing in public utilities.”September 2014 (% of adults)

28UNDECIDED

DON’T KNOW ENOUGH


Net* Approval: +10 (Moderately Strong)

5

29SOMEWHAT

APPROVE

12STRONGLY

DISAPPROVE

15SOMEWHAT

DISAPPROVE

9

STRONGLY

APPROVE

55


All rights reserved





Chart 80. Q: In case a candidate advocates for [amendment of economic

provisions of the Constitution] in the May 2016 elections, would you

Probably vote for the candidate, Not vote for the candidate, or would your

vote in May 2016 not be affected by this issue?

September 2015 (% of adults)

64PROBABLY

VOTE FOR

15PROBABLY

NOT VOTE

FOR

21WILL NOT BE

AFFECTED




SUMMARY

Filipinos have been generally opposed to amending the Constitution. They

rate constitutional amendments as a low-priority issue for an incoming

president. They prefer to maintain the Presidential system and the current

length of government officials’ term limits. Politicians’ advocacy for

constitutional amendments does not affect the people’s votes for the said

politicians.

Most Filipinos do not closely follow news events about proposals to

amend the Constitution. In the past, most rated their knowledge of it as

insufficient. The most that said they knew it sufficiently was 53%, in

September 2016.

Filipinos generally favor modes of amendment that maximize the use of

democratic processes. They oppose extending elected officials’ term limits

and, most of all, allowing former presidents to run for re-election.

Filipinos generally oppose lessening restrictions on foreign participation

in the economy. They favor amendments that promise to bring peace in

Mindanao, e.g. the formation of a Bangsamoro region. Their support for the

creation of regional governments has grown slightly.

SWS SURVEYS OF PUBLIC OPINION ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 28 - SWS... · 2019-10-07 · Opinions...

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Transcript of SWS SURVEYS OF PUBLIC OPINION ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 28 - SWS... · 2019-10-07 · Opinions...