Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Most Filipinos are confident that their freedom of speech would be respected, even by the government.
Of 1,200 respondents surveyed last March by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), 54% agreed with this statement: “I can say anything I want, openly and without fear, even if it is against the administration.”
Twenty-two percent disagreed with the statement while 24% were undecided.
The results of the survey were first posted late Wednesday night (June 10) at the website of BusinessWorld Online, media partner of SWS.
According to the SWS, Filipinos had the lowest confidence in speaking out their minds during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, who ironically were among the key figures who helped topple the martial law regime of President Ferdinand Marcos, and with the current administration of her son, President Benigno Aquino III.
These results got a “strong” net agreement of +32, which is measured as the percentage of those who agree minus those who disagree.
Following is SWS ranking system:
+50 and above: very strong
+30 to +49: strong
+10 to +29: moderate
+9 to -9: neutral
-10 to -29: poor
-30 to -49 weak
-50 and lower: very weak
The sentiments of respondents regarding freedom of speech in past administrations is as follows:
Estrada administration: strong (+42)
Ramos administration: strong (+38)
Arroyo administration: strong (+36)
Meanwhile, the same survey shows that 49% of respondents agreed that the government listens to what the public says compared to the 27% which disagreed with the statement.
