Most Filipinos reject Charter change, lifting foreign ownership restrictions

MANILA, Philippines — An overwhelming majority of Filipinos oppose changing the 1987 Constitution at this time, according to a new Pulse Asia Survey, with results showing Filipinos in all regions and all socio-economic classes did not support the lifting of foreign ownership restrictions in key industries.

According to private pollster Pulse Asia's latest survey, a whopping 88% of Filipinos do not support revisions to the Charter at this time, wich dips only slightly for those who are not in favor of Charter change whether now or in the future (74%).

Only 8% said that they believe that the Constitution should be amended now, according to the Pulse Asia survey.

The survey, which gathered 1,200 responses from March 6 to 10, also found that Filipinos are more aware this time about the issue of Charter change compared to last year, but those well-informed about the contents of the Charter itself remains virtually unchanged.

This year, 72% said they have heard of current proposals to change the Charter before answering the survey — higher than last year's 47%. 

Meanwhile, around 75% said they had little or no knowledge about the 1987 Constitution at all — which is "essentially unchanged" from last year's 79%, according to Pulse Asia.

The survey also found that regardless of socio-economic background, majority of respondents were not in favor of current proposals to lift foreign ownership restrictions in the 1987 Constitution as contained in the House' and the Senate's resolutions to amend the Charter.
 
For instance, just less than a quarter or 24% were in favor of allowing foreigners to own schools or universities, followed by foreign ownership in media and advertising (19%) and communications and internet companies (19%). 

Other previous proposals to change the Charter that focused on political amednments also did not garner much support.

Only 18% were in favor of shifting to federalism — at least 20 points lower than last year, when 38% said they backed the pivot to a federal system of government. 

Just 18% were also in favor of allowing term extensions for national and local officials.

A measly 6% were in favor of allowing foreigners to "exploit our natural