Voters say no to change in constitution

MANILA: Two-thirds of Filipino voters remain opposed to President Rodrigo Duterte’s push to change the constitution and give more power to regional governments, according to a new poll.

The Pulse Asia Research Inc survey conducted last month found that 62% of voters rejected federalism and 67% opposed changing the constitution, although 28% said they might be open to it in the future. Only voters in the southern island of Mindanao, Mr Duterte’s home province, said they favoured the plan.

The poll is a sign that Mr Duterte faces an uphill battle pushing through the first change to the Philippines constitution since the overthrow of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, and follows a Social Weather Stations survey showing his popularity falling to its lowest during his two-year rule.

Mr Duterte, who has offered to cut his six-year term short to boost support for the reform, has argued that a federal system would boost economic growth and help quell a decades-long Muslim insurgency. Under the plan, the position of prime minister would be created and some restrictions on foreign ownership would be scrapped.

A draft federal constitution was submitted to Mr Duterte last week but will have to be deliberated and approved by Congress, which is yet to agree on how to amend the constitution.

Opponents of the push, including Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, have warned that a federal system could open the way for public officials to extend their terms in office.

Mr Duterte’s net satisfaction rating fell by 11% points to 45%, according to a Social Weather Stations survey of 1,200 adults conducted between June 27 to June 30, as inflation climbed to a five-year high and following Mr Duterte’s ‘stupid God’ remarks which sparked uproar across the Catholic nation.

The biggest declines came from the capital region, among the poor and the young working population.