Pulse Asia: Majority backs ban on political dynasties

A slim majority of Filipinos want action now on political dynasties.

According to a Pulse Asia survey released Monday, 54 percent of Filipinos support the immediate passage of a law banning political dynasties, a proposal long pushed by progressive groups who argue that family-dominated politics concentrates power and helps entrench corruption.

Support is strongest in Metro Manila, where 69 percent favor the measure. Backing is also high in the rest of Luzon and the Visayas, both at 59 percent, and among Class D respondents at 57 percent.

Opinion is far more divided in Mindanao, where only 34 percent support the proposal. A larger share — 38 percent — said they are undecided, while 27 percent expressed opposition.

Across the country, hesitation still looms large. Nationwide, 27 percent of respondents said they were undecided on the issue, outnumbering those who oppose the ban, which stood at 18 percent.

Digging deeper, about one in three Filipino adults (33 percent) said they somewhat agree with the immediate passage of an anti-political dynasty law. Moderate support was again strongest in Metro Manila at 46 percent, followed by Class D at 35 percent.

In Mindanao and among Class C respondents, opinions were almost evenly split between those who expressed moderate support and those who remained unsure. In the rest of Luzon and the Visayas, views were more evenly spread among strong support, partial agreement, and ambivalence. Among Class E, responses were almost evenly divided across strong agreement, moderate support, indecision, and some disagreement.

The survey also found broad backing for another governance reform.

Fifty-two percent of Filipinos support the immediate creation of a fully empowered Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC), a body envisioned to investigate corruption tied to public infrastructure projects.

Majorities in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, the Visayas, and among Classes D and E support the proposal. In Mindanao and Class C, however, opinion is split between agreement and indecision.

Nationwide, 33 percent of respondents said they remain undecided on the proposed commission, while 15 percent opposed it outright.

Pulse Asia conducted the survey from 12 to 15 December, capturing the public sentiment as debates over political reform and corruption continue to gain traction ahead of the new year.