More Pinoys cool to legalizing divorce – OCTA poll

MANILA, Philippines — More Filipinos are not in favor of legalizing divorce, according to a recent survey conducted by the OCTA Research group.

Results of the June 28 to July 1 survey released yesterday found that 57 percent of respondents are against legalizing divorce, while 39 percent are in favor and four percent are undecided.

Compared to a similar survey conducted by OCTA in December, support for divorce was almost similar with 40 percent, while those who were against it increased from 51 percent.

Meanwhile, a separate Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll conducted in March found that 50 percent of respondents support the legalization of divorce for irreconcilably separated couples.

The test statement in the SWS survey was: “Married couples who have already separated and cannot reconcile anymore should be allowed to divorce so that they can get legally married again.”

Only 31 percent disagreed with the statement.

OCTA, in its latest poll, asked respondents how they view candidates based on their position on divorce.

Some 55 percent said they will not vote for candidates who promote divorce in the Philippines.

Thirty-nine percent said they will vote for candidates who support divorce, while seven percent either refused to answer or said they do not know.

OCTA said its non-commissioned Tugon ng Masa survey had 1,200 adult respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent.