MANILA – Nearly half, or 47 percent of adult Filipinos, believe violence would erupt if the elections scheduled in May 2010 are cancelled or postponed, according to a survey by a polling organization.
In the same survey, Pulse Asia reported that interest in the May 2010 elections is running high, with nine in 10 Filipinos, or 90 percent, expressing this sentiment.
Eighty seven percent also said they are likely to vote in next year’s elections, Pulse Asia added, based on its non-commissioned survey conducted October 14 to 27, 2008 by using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 representative adults aged 18 years old and above.
Experts considered the latest findings significant following attempts by administration lawmakers to revive the controversial issue of Charter-change which initially aims for a shift in the form of government from the present presidential system to federal parliamentary.
The proponents claimed they want to change “restrictive” provisions in the 1987 Constitution, like banning foreigners to own land, to encourage investors to come into the country, especially now with the global economic and financial crisis.
The Cha-cha supporters come mainly from the “Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino” (Kampi or Partners of the Free Filipinos), the political party founded by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and member of the ruling coalition in the House of Representatives along with the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats.
But the political opposition and other critics warned that Cha-cha is being used as a ploy to extend the stay in power of President Arroyo whose term expires in 2010 as mandated by the Constitution.
“Near to small majorities (47 percent to 57 percent) in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, the Visayas and socioeconomic classes A, B, C and D are of the opinion that trouble will result from the cancellation or postponement of the general elections in May 2010,” Pulse Asia reported.
In Mindanao, 38 percent share this view or express a contrary opinion while in class E, 38 percent see trouble ensuing if the elections are not held as scheduled, it added.
According to Pulse Asia, 38 percent are ambivalent on the issue, adding that 30 percent cannot say whether the elections will not push through.
Twelve percent, it said, think there is a small or no possibility at all that this scenario will materialize.
Pulse Asia also said it found “very high” interest in the 2010 polls across all geographic areas and socio-economic classes.
It pointed out: “Across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, overwhelming majorities express interest in the 2010 electionos (83 percent to 94 percent) and say they are likely to vote (84 percent to 92 percent).”
In contrast, one out of every 10 Filipinos (10 percent) is still undecided about voting in the coming elections, Pulse Asia said.
The same percentage, it said, is either disinterested or unable to say whether or not he is interest in the elections.
In the same survey, Pulse Asia said nearly six in 10 Filipinos, or 59 percent, believe that it is highly likely that the 2010 elections will be held as scheduled.
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