52% of Filipinos for Cha-cha, House claims

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives leadership on Sunday vowed to make economic Charter change (Cha-cha) succeed, citing a survey that claimed 52 percent of Filipinos support moves to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. maintained that the survey released by marketing research firm Tangere over the weekend should convince senators of the urgency of passing Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 (RBH 6), the Senate’s proposed economic Cha-cha mirrored by RBH 7, which the House recently adopted.

READ: Lawmakers welcome positive Cha-cha survey results

‘Strongly agree’ on Cha-cha

Based on the Tangere survey results released on Friday, 14 percent of Filipinos “strongly agree,” 38 percent “somewhat agree,” 13 percent “somewhat disagree,” and 10 percent “strongly disagree” on Charter change. The remaining 25 percent of respondents nationwide were unsure whether to support or oppose Cha-cha.

However, Gonzales did not reveal the sampling and methodology data that pollsters usually provide as part of best practices.

The key data include the identification of who commissioned the survey, the number and demographics of respondents, locations where the surveys were conducted, and the exact questions and context that were asked of the respondents, among others.

READ: Gov’t agencies favor economic Cha-cha – quick Senate survey

Shift in sentiment?

In a statement on Sunday, Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed the results of the Tangere survey.

“We are determined to sustain this momentum and collaborate with all parties involved to realize the Constitutional amendments that will pave the way for a more prosperous, just and equitable future for the Philippines,” he said.

Romualdez said he was encouraged by the survey, which “indicates a pivotal shift in public sentiment, revealing a growing acceptance and willingness among our citizens to consider the merits of Constitutional reform.”

Significant

“The approval for amending the Constitution, while slight, is nonetheless significant. It represents an evolving perspective among Filipinos, recognizing the potential benefits and the necessity of updating our nation’s charter to meet current and future challenges,” he said.

“As Speaker, the positive feedback and growing support from our constituents fortify my conviction in the vital mission to refine and enhance our constitutional framework. It propels us to advance our legislative responsibilities with increased dedication and resolve.

“Under my leadership, the House of Representatives remains committed to fostering an environment where all stakeholders can contribute to meaningful and productive discussions on potential changes to our Constitution,” Romualdez said.

Meanwhile, Gonzales said the support of most Filipinos for proposed amendments to the Constitution, as shown by the Tangere survey, should prompt the Senate to pass RBH 6.