MANILA, Philippines – Opposition against the proposed shift in government is rising, according to the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia.

The survey, conducted from March 23 to 28 among 1,200 respondents, revealed that 64% of Filipinos “believe that the Philippine Constitution should not be amended now.”

Only 23% believes in change in the Constitution while 13% cannot decide on the matter.

Despite the increase in the number of disapproval, 32% of those who oppose the charter change said the Constitution “may be amended sometime in the future.” Meanwhile, another 32% said it “should not be amended now nor any other time.”

As compared to last year’s survey, the latest data showed 20% more of the country’s population has decided not to agree on charter change.

The survey also noted that 66% of the country’s population opposes the federal form of government.

The Makabayan Bloc, reacting to the survey, said it just shows that President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration’s popularity has started to sink. The opposition bloc added that the survey results suggest that the administration should do away with its plan to shift to federal form of government.

“Sixty-four percent ang tutol. Isang tumataginting na sampal sa mukha ni Panguong Duterte ito sa kabila ng so-called popularity niya. Nire-reject na ng taong bayan ang sinasabing number one platform ng kanyang presidency, iyong shift to federalism and charter change na dala nito,” ACTS Teachers Party List Representative Antonio Tinio said.

(Sixty-four percent [of respondents] are against it. This is a slap in the face of President Duterte despite his so-called popularity. The people are rejecting what is said to be the number one platform of his presidency —the shift to federalism and charter change that comes with it.)

In a statement, the administration’s consultative committee believes otherwise. It said “The Consultative Committee views the results of the most recent survey of Pulse Asia on Constitutional change as a guide and a challenge that the proposed constitution is drafting shall face at the proper time—when it is submitted for ratification.”

The Committee added that “Once we are done and the proposed revisions are presented to the public, we are confident that the public perception will change.”

Malacañang admitted that the survey implies “a lot of work to be done by the government in informing, educating and reaching out to our countrymen regarding constitutional reforms.

Nevertheless, Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque added that “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.” – Rosalie Coz | UNTV News & Rescue

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