Filipinos divided over RevGov, SWS survey shows

FILE – Groups opposed to RevGov stage a noise barrage near Ateneo
de Manila University in Quezon City —GRIG C.MONTEGRANDE

Filipinos are divided over President Rodrigo Duterte’s threats to declare a revolutionary government, or RevGov, if the alleged destabilization plots would persist, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

In a press conference on Friday, SWS director for sampling and data processing Gerardo Sandoval said 39 percent of Filipinos opposed RevGov, 31 percent supported, while 30 percent were undecided. The survey was conducted on December 8 to 16, he said.

Opposition to RevGov was highest in Luzon at 46%, followed by Visayas at 43%, Metro Manila at 39%, and Mindanao at 21%, the SWS said.

More survey respondents in Mindanao, however, leaned towards RevGov as 38% supported the idea, 21% disagreed, while 41% were undecided, resulting into a net score of +16 in favor of RevGov.

In Luzon, 46% of survey respondents opposed RevGov, 30% supported it, while 25% were undecided, resulting into a net score of -16 against RevGov.

For respondents in Visayas, 43% disagreed with RevGov, 26% agreed with the proposition, while 31% were undecided, posting a net score of -17 against RevGov.

In Metro Manila, 41% opposed RevGov, 31% backed it, while 30% were undecided, registering a net score of -7 against RevGov.

Sandoval said that Filipinos who trusted Duterte and were satisfied with his performance did not immediately express full support toward RevGov.

The SWS survey showed that RevGov registered a neutral score of only +1 from Filipinos who have much trust in Duterte, while it only posted a neutral score of +2 from those who were satisfied with Duterte’s performance, Sandoval said.

Despite higher opposition, more Filipinos believe that it was possible for Duterte to declare RevGov, as 48% said it was possible, 27% said it was not, while 24% said they do not know.

More Filipinos also believe that Duterte has a plan to change the present form of government, as 63% said they believe that the President has a plan, 18% said they do not, while 19% saying they do not know.

Sandoval said the survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide, with 300 each in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The survey has a margin of error of ±3% nationwide, ±4% for Luzon, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao, he said.

Duterte earlier threatened to declare RevGov if his opponents tried to topple him from power.

“[I]f things go out of control and [the] government is weakened—that is my predicate,” Mr. Duterte said in a speech late November 20.

“If my country is weakened and I see revolutionaries bringing firearms on the streets, well, maybe you shouldn’t have second thoughts, I will declare a revolutionary government,” he said.

READ: Duterte threatens foes with revolutionary government

The President, however, backtracked from his stance on RevGov, saying in another speech that the military would overthrow him if he declares RevGov.

“If you overstay…I become a dictator? The military will do me in same with what happened in the past,” Duterte said in a speech before an anti-corruption summit in Pasay City.

“You overstay and you abuse…there will always be (coup) attempts that will be done. Or mutiny for that matter,” he added.

READ: Duterte says establishing RevGov is like looking for a headache