Charter change for economic good? Most Filipinos unaware

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The House of Representatives has to do a lot of public information campaign.  

More than half of Filipinos (61%) of Filipinos are unaware of current moves in the lower chamber of Congress to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a Pulse Asia survey shows. 

Of the 39% who are aware of the issue, the survey found that less than half are in favor of it (44%), while about the same percentage (39%) are still undecided on the matter. 

Among socio-economic classes, 59% of those belonging to Class D and 73% of Class E have not heard, read nor watched news about the measure.

Only those belonging to Class ABC are mostly aware of the measure, with awareness levels at 58%. 

Filipinos in Metro Manila registered the highest awareness levels at 57%. The survey, which was conducted from March 19 to March 26, meanwhile found that all 3 major islands registered awareness below 50%, with Luzon at 43%, Visayas at 28%, and Mindanao at 29%. 

The survey was conducted at a period when major news events hogged the headlines, including the probe on the multi-billion pork barrel scam, the power crisis in Mindanao, and the mysterious disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370.

It also coincided with the arrest of Globe Asiatique President Delfin Lee and two key leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the signing of the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the start of conflict in Crimea. 

Most either in favor or undecided 

About the same number of Filipinos across the country are either in favor of or are still undecided about charter change – except for Metro Manila, where majority (58%) support the move. 

In Luzon, 45% are in favor of the resolution while 39% are still undecided. In the Visayas, 41% agree with the measure while 39% are still undecided. In Mindanao, its 28% versus 37%. 

Among socio-economic classes, only those belonging to Class ABC were mostly in favor of the resolution at 48%. 

For those belong to Class D, 44% are in favor of cha-cha while 29% are undecided. For Class E, 43% support cha-cha while 36% are still undecided.

House Resolution No. 1 seeks to add the phrase “unless otherwise amended by law” to provisions in the Constitution that specifies a 40% limit to foreign ownership of land and businesses, including management of media, franchises to public utilities, and ownership of educational institutions.

Should the proposal be approved by both chambers of Congress, lawmakers would still have to pass an enabling law to remove the limits to foreign ownership. – Rappler.com

61% of Filipinos unaware of charter change

– Rappler.com