FIX PRIORITIES College students and different sectors on March 20 protest in opposition to the Home of Representatives’ invoice pushing Constitution change. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — The Home of Representatives, which has been on the forefront of efforts to amend the 1987 Structure, bristled at a latest Pulse Asia survey, which confirmed that three out of 4 Filipinos had been against Constitution change (Cha-cha).
On Saturday, Home Deputy Speaker David Suarez and Majority Flooring Chief Manuel Dalipe questioned the survey’s “biased and main questions,” which they mentioned might have influenced its consequence.
READ: 52% of Filipinos for Cha-cha, Home claims
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The survey—carried out March 6 to March 10 and launched on Wednesday—confirmed that 72 p.c of the respondents had been conscious of efforts to amend the Structure, with 88 p.c saying the Constitution shouldn’t be touched.
Of that determine, 74 p.c believed the Constitution ought to “not be amended now nor every other time” whereas solely 6 p.c mentioned it could possibly be finished beneath the present administration. The remaining 8 p.c mentioned they want it finished beneath the following administration.
The outcomes had been launched after the Home authorised on third and remaining studying Decision of Each Homes No. 7 (RBH 7), which seeks to ease restrictions on international possession in public utilities, academic establishments and the promoting business.
Suarez questioned the “phrasing of the [survey] questions [which] appeared crafted to steer respondents towards a particular viewpoint on Constitution amendments.”
These included, for instance, questions on altering the present system right into a federal authorities; time period extension for nationwide and native elective officers; altering the presidential system to a parliamentary system of presidency; and shifting from a bicameral to a unicameral legislature.
‘Smear marketing campaign’
These issues “don’t align with these at present beneath dialogue in Congress,” Suarez mentioned.
“The survey questions … [may] have inadvertently skewed responses and fostered opposition to [Charter change],” he mentioned. “The wording of survey questions ought to precisely replicate the precise provisions being proposed for modification.”
Suarez went on to say that the survey could possibly be “a part of a smear marketing campaign” to undermine efforts to amend the Structure.
READ: Villanueva: Pulse Asia survey exhibits no have to fast-track Cha-cha
No rush
Dalipe agreed, saying: “Why embrace questions that individuals don’t need and will not be associated to the continuing course of in Congress? Is that this black propaganda?”
“Together with unrelated questions within the survey solely serves to confuse and mislead the general public,” the Zamboanga Metropolis consultant additionally mentioned.
He mentioned Filipinos would in the end determine on the proposed amendments in a plebiscite and never by means of surveys.
However for RBH 7 to be put to a plebiscite, the Senate should first move its personal RBH 6, the template of the Home measure.
The Senate, nonetheless, has maintained the place that there is no such thing as a have to rush constitutional amendments.
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The Home has been adamant to see the amendments put to a plebiscite earlier than Congress adjourns on Could 25, to present sufficient lead time earlier than the midterm elections subsequent yr.
