Successful elections boost satisfaction with the way democracy works

Business World

BY ANA MAE G. ROA, Reporter

PUBLIC SATISFACTION with the way democracy is working in the Philippines has risen to near-record highs, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed.

A September poll, the results of which were made exclusive toBusinessWorld, had 69% of the respondents expressing satisfaction, up a point from June’s 68% and just shy of the 70% peaks hit in July 1998 and October 1992 during the administrations of former presidents Joseph E. Estrada and Fidel V. Ramos, respectively.

A Palace spokesperson and an analyst said the results underlined the legitimacy of President Benigno S. C. Aquino III’s government. The SWS said that from October 1999 to June 2009, the indicator exceeded 50% only three times.

It also pointed to a correlation with successful presidential elections as the record peaks came during the years when Messrs. Ramos and Estrada were elected. But during 2004, where the election was won by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the indicator was a "disappointing 44%."

Mrs. Arroyo, who succeeded Mr. Estrada in 2001 after People Power II, won a full six-year term in 2004 but allegations of massive cheating hounded her presidency. She was not immediately available for comment.

The SWS survey, meanwhile, also found 56% of the respondents saying "democracy is always preferable to any other kind of government", which compared to 27% declaring "under some circumstances, an authoritarian government can be preferable..." and 16% replying "it does not matter whether we have a democratic or a nondemocratic regime."

Public preferences for democracy and authoritarianism increased; the latter is actually a new record, surpassing the 26% peak hit in March 2006.

"Public preference between democracy and authoritarianism is a different issue from the degree of satisfaction with how democracy works, and is probed by a separate question," the SWS said.

The latest preference for democracy, it said, is similar to levels of 2002-2005 and 2007 when it ranged from 52-64%, and is also a recovery from the 49% hit in September 2006 and June 2008.

The preference for authoritarianism, meanwhile, aside from hitting a new record, is also higher than the 2007-2009 range of 15-23%.

The proportion of those who were indifferent was down from the 2006-2009 range of 25-28%.

Sought for comment, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said: "Democracy for our people is about two things: legitimacy in terms of their government being genuinely put in place by the people and bringing everyone to a system committed to achieving a better life for all and solving the issues at hand."

Ramon C. Casiple, a political analyst at the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform said: "The figure indicates the popularity of the president... They are satisfied with how he was elected."

Asked about the record-high preference for authoritarianism, Mr. Casiple said this can be explained by frustration with how the democratic process works.

"The problem is, the government is being blocked," he said.