Filipinos Want Arrroyo to Leave in 2010
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Few adults in the Philippines believe their current president should stay in office after her term expires, according to a poll by Social Weather Stations. 64 per cent of respondents disagree with a “charter change” that will allow Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to still be the chief official of the country in the second half of 2010.
Arroyo took over as president in January 2001, following the resignation of Joseph Estrada. Arroyo won a six-year term in the June 2004 presidential election, garnering 39.99 per cent of all cast ballots. The next election is tentatively scheduled for June 2010. Arroyo is ineligible for a consecutive term in office.
Last year, pro-Arroyo lawmakers in the House of Representatives openly discussed the possibility of amending the constitution to allow the president to remain in office after her current term expires. During her tenure, Arroyo has faced four impeachment attempts and three attempted coups.
On Dec. 30, Liberal Party senator Mar Roxas—mentioned as a possible presidential contender in 2010—criticized the government, saying, “The nation’s problems became worse in 2008, particularly hunger and poverty which continues to affect millions of our countrymen. President Arroyo and her allies played deaf to the needs of the people and insisted on pushing for Gloria Forever Charter Change.”
Polling Data
Do you agree or disagree with a “charter change” that will allow Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to still be the chief official of the Philippines after Jun. 30, 2010?
Agree
15%
Disagree
64%
Not sure
21%
Source: Social Weather Stations
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,200 Filipino adults, conducted from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
Filipinos Want Arrroyo to Leave in 2010: Angus Reid Global Monitor
Tags: angus reid, charter change, gloria macapagal arroyo, impeachment, joseph estrada, liberal party, presidential contender, social weather stations
