MANILA, Philippines — While most Filipinos are satisfied with how democracy works in the Philippines, some 26 percent are “conditional authoritarians” – those who say they sometimes prefer having a central power or one individual in charge of the government.
Only 60 percent said that they “always prefer” democracy over any other form of government, according to a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).
A snapshot of the survey data on satisfaction and preference for a democratic form of government was among those presented by SWS vice president Jay Sandoval during the recent 2023 SWS Survey Review held at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City.
Based on results of the survey conducted from Dec. 10 to 14 last year, about 60 percent of the respondents were classified as “committed democrats,” or those who always prefer democracy.
Fifteen percent of respondents said it does not matter to them whether the Philippines has a democratic or non-democratic regime.
The SWS has yet to release the full details of the survey.
Based on the graph presented, however, preference for a democratic form of government mainly remained at around 50 percent to 60 percent since it was first included in the survey during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
It reached its highest and lowest – above 60 percent and below 50 percent, respectively – during the presidency of the late Benigno Aquino III.
It remained above 50 percent during the Duterte administration, which was criticized over policies seen to have threatened the country’s democratic institutions.
Last month, London-based think tank Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) classified the Philippines as a “flawed democracy” in its Democracy Index 2022.
From ranking 54th in 2021, the country improved to 52nd out of 167 countries and territories included in the annual index.
“Flawed democracies” are those that have free and fair elections and where basic civil liberties are respected, but there are significant weaknesses in some aspects, including governance, political culture and participation.
Based on the latest SWS survey, 89 percent of the respondents were satisfied with how democracy works in the Philippines, up from less than 80 percent obtained in a survey conducted during the previous administration.
SWS data showed that this was the highest level of satisfaction with democracy since it was included in the survey during the first Aquino administration after the fall of the dictatorship.
The December 2022 survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percent.
‘Panatang Makabayan’
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has approved the proposed amendment to the “Panatang Makabayan” or the “Patriotic Oath,” which revised the word “nagdarasal” to “nananalangin,” which both translate to praying.
In a department order dated Feb. 14, Duterte stated that the Department of Education (DepEd)’s Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching (OUCT) recommended the amendment following consultation with various experts and organizations.
“The OUCT recommended that ‘nananalangin’ be used instead of ‘nagdarasal’ primarily because the ‘nananalangin’ is inherent and integral in Filipino identities as it is rooted in Tagalog. Likewise, it is more inclusive and appropriate as it does not refer or specify religions, and at the same time, it encompasses indigenous belief systems,” she said.
“Second, as expressed by the focal persons representing the indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples and the individuals belonging to Muslim and Moro communities, ‘dalangin’ and its equivalents may be more preferred than ‘dasal’ since ‘dalangin’ is more spiritual and universal. Finally, based on the data provided by the Philippine Bible Society, native words are preferred when the Bible is being translated into different Philippine languages,” she added.
The Linguistic Society of the Philippines found the proposal to be well-written and sufficiently rationalized, according to the Vice President.
Meanwhile, the Pambansang Samahan sa Linggwistika at Literaturang Filipino agreed with the use of “nananalangin” as it is more inclusive, more solemn and that its use was well thought out and extensively researched.
Duterte said the Language Study Center of Philippine Normal University had a different opinion, but expressed its support for the final decision of the OUCT on this matter.
“From the foregoing and consistent with the authority and directive granted to the Secretary of Education, the Secretary has determined the need to amend the existing Panatang Makabayan, in accordance with the recommendations of various experts and linguists,” the order read.
The revised Panatang Makabayan now reads: Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas; aking lupang sinilangan, tahanan ng aking lahi; kinukupkop ako at tinutulungang maging malakas, masipag at marangal. Dahil mahal ko ang Pilipinas, diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang, susundin ko ang tuntunin ng paaralan, tutuparin ko ang tungkulin ng mamamayang makabayan; naglilingkod, nag-aaral at nananalangin nang buong katapatan. Iaaalay ko ang aking buhay, pangarap, pagsisikap sa bansang Pilipinas.
“The Panatang Makabayan shall be recited during the flag-raising ceremony, during class and as part of the daily school activity program in all public and private schools and DepEd Offices,” Duterte said in her order.