Pulse Asia survey on Cha-cha dismays Garin
House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin on Monday expressed regret over the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey regarding Charter change (Cha-cha), claiming it does not reflect the genuine sentiment of the Filipino people.
During Monday’s press conference at the House of Representatives, Garin criticized the survey’s perceived inefficiency, attributing it to a “poorly crafted questionnaire,” and emphasized missed opportunities for accurately representing public sentiment.
“While the company is reputable, siguro hindi naman natin maperpekto, nagkaroon lang baka fixed ‘yung questions,” Garin said, referring to Pulse Asia and its latest survey indicating that 74 percent of respondents oppose Cha-cha.
“Pero hindi nakita na doon pa lang sa tanong, naiintindihan niyo ba o alam niyo ba ano ang laman ng Konstitusyon ng Pilipinas? Seventy-five percent said ‘no, hindi namin alam.’ Dapat nagpalit na ng mga katanungan or dapat ‘yung subsequent tanong dun ka lang nagtanong sa 25% so that the results will really be reflective of the sentiments of the Filipino people. Kaya parang sayang kasi lumalabas na parang walang gaanong bisa,” Garin pointed out.
Garin provided a critical analysis of the recent Pulse Asia survey, highlighting potential confusion arising from its questionnaire structure.
She pointed out that the survey questions related to no-election scenarios, term extensions, and shifts in government structure do not align with the ongoing discussions in Congress under the current Marcos administration.
Garin raised concerns about the inclusion of mix proposals from both the previous Duterte administration and the present administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
She said blending of topics has led to the survey being likened to a “chopseuy,” raising questions about its coherence and accuracy in reflecting public opinion.
“The bigger problem is that hindi naman ito ang mga pinag-uusapan sa Cha-cha ngayong administrasyong ito. Itong mga tanong na ito ay kaakibat ng Cha-cha na pinag-usapan during the previous administration,” Garin explained.
She continued: “So nung nagkaroon ng call for federalism, call for no election, call for extension ng term, call for a shift to a unicameral system of government, this was all during the Duterte administration. Ito ang Cha-cha proposal sa panahon ni Pangulong Duterte.”
Garin indicated that during the Marcos administration, Congress primarily focuses on discussing amendments to the restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution, with the House of Representatives adopting Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 to address this issue.
“Sa panahon ngayon ang pinag-uusapan na Cha-cha ay ‘yung mga pagbabago para sa kapakanan ng Pilipino at ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Anong pinag-uusapan dito? Mas magandang edukasyon, mas murang logistical cost para kapag mura ang pasok ng mga produkto sa Pilipinas ibig sabihin iyong pamasahe ay mura, magmumura rin ‘yung lahat ng mga bilihin. Andoon din ‘yung problema sa kuryente, tubig, internet and of course, ads,” she said.
