(2nd UPDATE) More Filipinos have soured on moves by Congress to amend the 1987 Constitution, with 64% of Filipinos opposing Charter change compared to only 44% two years ago, a Pulse Asia survey revealed Wednesday.

The survey, conducted last March 23 to 28, showed that public awareness of Charter change has risen from 41% in July 2016 to 49% in March this year.

Public support to amend the Constitution now dropped 14 percentage points from 37% in July 2016 to only 23% in March 2018.

On the other hand, opposition to Charter change increased by 20 percentage points, from 44% to 64% during the survey periods.

Activists rally vs charter change in Quezon City, January 15, 2018. Mark Saludes, ABS-CBN News

Of the 64% who oppose Charter change now, 32% said the Constitution can still be amended sometime in the future while 32% said Charter change should not be done now or in the future, Pulse Asia said.

The number of hardliners - those who oppose Charter change - increased from 15% to 32%, an uptick of 17 percentage points.

The survey also showed 71 percent of Filipinos have little to no knowledge of the proposed federal system of government as of March 2018. Pulse Asia said 66% of Filipinos do not favor a change to a federal system of government.

Pulse Asia said among the key developments that preoccupied Filipinos during the month of March 2018 are the filing of the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, the House justice committee's vote to impeach Sereno, the Philippines' withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, the provisional acceptance of Janet Lim Napoles into the witness protection program, and an inter-agency task force's recommendation to clean up Boracay Island.

President Duterte has long advocated federalism to tackle a yawning wealth gap, empower regional governments and recognize the country's diverse makeup.

Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. earlier warned that adopting a federal form of government would be a "paradise for politicians" as it seeks to extend the terms of incumbent officials, lift term limits and allow a president to seek re-election, and lift restrictions on the president's power to proclaim martial law.

Some critics believe the move to change the constitution to facilitate that would also provide means for Duterte to hold on to power beyond 2022, when his single, six-year term ends.

But the 72-year-old said he no longer had the energy.

"I will step down by 2020, I will not wait for 2022," he said in a speech.

"I am old. I have no more ambition. I really would like to rest."

The Constitution was introduced in 1987 after the ousting of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in a bloodless "people's power" revolution.

Previous moves to change it have failed, with civil society and religious groups thwarting what they see as threats to a system designed to prevent strongman rulers like Marcos from emerging. Fears that Duterte could become an autocrat are compounded by the admiration he has expressed for Marcos.

Malacañang, for its part, said the survey means that more should be done to inform the public on charter change, given that only 49 percent were aware of the proposals.

"There is still a lot of work to be done by the government in informing, educating and reaching out to our countrymen regarding constitutional reforms," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

"The Duterte administration is thus working tirelessly in promoting to the public the workings of a federal set-up, a campaign promise of the President to bring government closer to the people," he added.

'SOLID' REJECTION OF FEDERALISM NARRATIVE

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, meanwhile, said the increase in the number of Filipinos not amenable to charter change shows that "people have doubts on the real intention of the proponents" in amending the Constitution

"This is compounded by the lack of education on the contents of the proposed federal constitution. The proponents do not even have a common draft to start with. Dinadaan pa sa pananakot para suportahan ang pagpalit ng konstitusyon," he said in a statement.

Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin meanwhile believes most of the 23 percent that remain supportive of the proposed shift in the form of government are Duterte's "core supporters lured by their fake news and ‘change-scamming’ schemes."

"The growing opposition of two third of Filipinos against charter change is solid proof that Filipinos reject President Duterte’s narrative that federalism is the cure-all formula for our country’s ills," he said.

"It’s high time that President Duterte focus on governing rather than trifling with our Constitution and rule of law," he added.

The survey, for Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, shows a "very clear indication that a vast majority of the the Filipino people finds it unacceptable to change."

He said the people might not be trusting of the instigators of charter change, especially those in Congress, because their "ulterior motives" are obvious.

"The term extension, no election scenario and the fact that a new constitution may give in to allow China to directly exploit our natural resources in the WPS (West Philippine Sea) are issues that would raise eyebrows," he said.

Bayan Muna Rep.Carlos Isagani Zarate also believes the survey "truly reflects the people's consistent strong sentiment ever since attempts to tinker with the constitution started during the Ramos administration."

"This shows that the present Cha-cha project of the Duterte administration would be met also by massive opposition and protests by the people.This constitution tinkering project is just a waste of time and people's money," he said in a statement.

"What the Filipino people need now are land to the farmers, national industrialization, higher wages, an end to job contractualization and lower prices of goods. Cha-Cha will not provide this, as in fact it will usher the sell out of our national patrimony, the further entrenchment of dynastic politics and the resurgence of tyrrany in our country ," added the Davao-based solon.

"It would be well for the Duterte administration and its allies to listen to the sentiments of our people and drop this anti-people Cha-cha project," he said.-- With Reuters and RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News