LAWMAKER BLASTS ‘MALICIOUS’ CHA-CHA SURVEY

HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre called the Pulse Asia survey on Charter change (Cha-cha) that was released on Wednesday “malicious” and “unfair.”

The survey, conducted from March 6 to 10, said that 88 percent of respondents were against any form of changing the 1987 Constitution, while only eight percent favored amendments.

“This Pulse Asia survey is riddled with questions and scenarios that spread fear among Filipinos about Cha-cha. By this reason alone, the survey results are invalid, unfair and inapplicable to the current situation,” Acidre said.

He added that the 1,200 respondents answered negatively because they were asked political questions on such topics as extension of terms of office for national and local elective positions, shift from a bicameral to unicameral legislature, changing the system of government from presidential to parliamentary, as well as changing the present unitary system into a federal one.

“That’s because these political-themed amendments aren’t on Resolution of Both Houses No.7, which seeks to ease the restrictions on the economic provisions of the Charter. These weren’t brought up during our marathon discussions in the House because these were never part of our plans,” Acidre said.

He said that it was “malicious” for Pulse Asia to ask these questions as it gives the impression that the House of Representatives had planned those political amendments all along while publicly selling only the merits of economic Charter change.

In comparison, he said the recent Tangere survey revealed that over half of the population, or 52 percent, was in favor of constitutional amendments.

“The Tangere survey shows that most Filipinos do understand the need to lift the economic restrictions in 37-yearold Constitution and allow the influx of more foreign direct investments,” Acidre said.