Party-list rep: Concerted effort to discredit Pulse survey?

Unlike most of her colleagues in the House of Representatives, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro thinks the Pulse Asia survey results on Charter change are "valid."

- DELON PORCALLA

Castro said there might be a "concerted effort" to discredit the survey, which showed that 88 percent of Filipinos are against amending the 1987 Constitution.

"The initial questions posed in the survey clearly indicate a binary choice regarding support or opposition to Cha-cha," Castro said. "This (survey result) is a reflection of the strong public sentiment against any moves to change the Constitution." She noted that while some may argue that political amendments are irrelevant, it is important to acknowledge that if a constituent assembly were to convene, it would have the authority to propose and approve amendments on various matters, including political and economic aspects.

"Thus, the inclusion of political amendments in the survey is valid, as it reflects the potential scope of changes that could be made through the Cha-cha process," Castro said.

The lawmaker pointed out there could also be other potential amendments such as those related to martial law safeguards, foreign bases and armed forces and other provisions.