Survey says, most Filipino people oppose amendments on Constitution if this will mean extension of term for the President, Vice-President, Senate and

Miami
November 25, 2008
Story: Survey says, most Filipino people oppose amendments on Constitution if this will mean extension of term for the President, Vice-President, Senate and Congress

Social Weather Station (SWS) President Mahar Mangahas, presented at the committee hearing of the committee on Constitutional Amendments the survey that they conducted from September 30 to October 4, 2008, that most Filipinos oppose charter change especially if this will mean extension of office of the Arroyo administration.

Mangahas cited, “A solid 78% in Metro Manila are opposed to a charter change that will allow Pres. Arroyo to continue as chief official of the Philippines after June 30, 2010.”

The survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults divided into random samples of 300 each in Metro Manila, the balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Opposition to such a charter change is 70% in the Visayas, 62% in the Balance of Luzon and 54% in Mindanao. Opposition is also high in all classes: it is 67% in class ABC, 66% in class E, and 63% in class D (masses).

Those who want the President's present term of office changed consist of 32% who prefer it shortened, and only 5% who want it lengthened.

In line with this, Atty. Neri Colmenares of National Union of People’s Lawyers (NULP) said that their group learned that the committee on constitutional amendments is already deliberating a resolution that would extend the term of the Congress and of the President.

He said that there is a House Resolution 550 penned by Batangas Cong. Hermilando Mandanas, that was referred on the said committee last August 2008.

Colmenares said “The HR 550 included the postponement of the 2010 elections, the expansion of terms of members of Congress and the extension (from three years to four years) of the current term of all public officials, including President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to June 30, 2011." He added it was not justified the need of it.

Congressman Victor Ortega, Chair of Committee on Constitutional Amendments said they are not discussing the said resolution. In fact, Ortega was not aware that there was such a resolution extending their term.