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Survey: 64% of Filipinos nix Cha-cha at this time


MANILA, Philippines - Nearly two of three Filipinos do not believe that now is the time to amend the 1987 Constitution, results of a survey conducted recently by public opinion polling body Pulse Asia show. Pulse Asia says a "sizable majority" or 64 percent of Filipinos do not think that it is appropriate now to tinker with the Constitution — a view "shared by majorities (60 to 70 percent) in all geographic areas and social groupings." Only 25 percent of Filipinos express a contrary opinion, while 11 percent are undecided on the matter, according to Pulse Asia. The top reasons cited by those opposing Charter changer are:
  • To avoid chaos in the country.
  • There is no need to amend the 1987 Constitution because it is good enough
  • To prevent term extensions for government officials
  • To prevent extending the term of office of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and
  • The belief that constitutional amendments will not change the economic conditions in the country anyway.
"These reasons are mentioned by practically the same percentages across geographic areas and socio-economic groupings," according to Pulse Asia. Those who favor Charter change claim that amending the Constitution would help improve the economy and eradicate corruption. No knowledge of the Constitution Results of the survey also showed that amid the revival of talks about Charter change, nearly six in 10 Filipinos have little knowledge about their Constitution. "Practically the same majority figures (52 percent to 64 percent) are recorded across all geographic areas and socio-economic classes," according to Pulse Asia. Twenty-five percent of the Filipinos say they "know enough" about the 1987 Constitution, 16 percent "admit to having almost or completely no knowledge at all", and 3 percent "claim to know a lot." "The percentages of those who have a sufficient level of knowledge range from 12% in the Visayas to 39% in Class ABC while those with the least amount of knowledge vary from 5% in Class ABC to 23% in Class E," Pulse Asia said. The nationwide survey was conducted from Feb. 2 to 15, 2009 through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondent 18 years old and above. - GMANews.TV
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