The Tapatt survey on the Estrada scandal

The Tapatt survey on the Estrada scandal

MANILA: Tapatt Foundation is an organization of civic-minded citizens "saddened to see our country being ravaged by the greed of many of those who are supposed to lead it." It is a non-stock, non-profit and non-partisan corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is not subsidized by the government or any politician or political party.

Chaired by Antonio C. Abaya, noted journalist and radio commentator, it includes among its prominent charter members Guillermo N. Carague, Baltazar N. Endriga, Josefina T. Lichauco, and Reynaldo D. Pacheco. Tapatt welcomes all Filipinos who are also "infuriated" to see our people "being wasted and demoralized by the insatiable cupidity of many of their leaders and their leaders' families and friends."

Tapatt is the acronym for Transparency and Public Accountability Today and Tomorrow. Unlike other civic societies focusing on particular issues like human rights, gun control and clean elections, Tapatt addresses itself only to the constitutional requirement of government transparency and accountability. This is a goal often defeated by cabals among public officials and their accomplices to suppress the truth and conceal their misdeeds.

Last month, Tapatt conducted its first public opinion poll to gauge the reaction to certain current questions involving President Joseph Estrada. It did not cover the current jueteng scandal that exploded only three weeks ago. The poll was taken on a database of 550 e-mail addresses, with 148 responding to the questions. The respondents may be described as citizens with a civic conscience who believe that their voices can be heard and make a difference in the true democracy.

According to the Tapatt official results, 94 percent of the computer-literate respondents believed that the recent report of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism on the alleged wealth of President Estrada and his extended families was "probably close to the truth but did not cover everything he and his families own." Only 4 percent thought that the report was exaggerated.

On whether or not President Estrada was legally liable for anything, and given multiple answers to choose from, 82 percent of the respondents said he was liable for unexplained wealth, 67 percent for concubinage, 61 percent for tax evasion, and 55 percent for perjury. But 4 percent believed he was not liable for anything.

The respondents were first reminded of Art. XI, Sec. 2, of the Constitution providing that the President of the Philippines may be removed "on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust." This was the basis of the next question, which was whether President Estrada should be impeached.

Eighty-five percent of the respondents said Erap should be impeached under the specified grounds. Three percent believed he should not be impeached although the grounds were applicable to him. Nine percent felt he had not committed any of the prescribed offenses and should not be impeached.

Owing to the improbability of impeachment because of President Estrada's control of the House of Representatives, where at least one-third of its members must agree to commence such action, the respondents were asked to choose from several proposed alternatives.

Twenty-eight percent said he should be impeached if his party loses in the 2001 elections. Twenty-four percent said he should be deposed by a middle-class uprising like the Edsa revolution. Twenty-one percent said he should call a snap election next year to get a fresh mandate from the people. Sixteen percent said he should be allowed to finish his term but his party should be decisively defeated in the 2001 election. Only 6 percent were for a military coup and no one voted for a communist takeover.

On the hypothetical situation of Estrada not finishing his term and the constitutional rules on presidential succession being inapplicable, the respondents chose the successor as follows: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (32 percent), Fidel V. Ramos (20 percent), Raul Roco (19 percent), Hilario G. Davide Jr. (7 percent), Panfilo Lacson (4 percent), Franklin Drilon (2 percent), Rodolfo Biazon (2 percent), Manuel Villar (1 percent), and Gregorio Honasan (1 percent).

The report does not explain how the survey was conducted or what scientific methods, if any, were employed. Even so, it may be assumed that the respondents were chosen at random from an intelligent and politically aware group and, in view of the Tapatt membership, that the results were not rigged.

Ideally, a survey of this nature should cover a cross-section of the electorate instead of only a select segment of the population. Although this would entail more effort and funding, a consultation of the various sectors of society--including the youth, women, the poor, laborers and farmers, the professionals and others--would be more reflective of the national mood.

Nevertheless, the Tapatt survey is useful in gauging the sentiments of those interrogated on the conduct and performance of President Estrada. That first poll could be only a start. Other voter groups may be asked to respond in other surveys that, studied together, could be a barometer of the political climate.

It's not unlikely that some surveys will be subsidized and orchestrated by special-interest groups to condition the minds of the people on certain issues. Even Malacanang may secretly fund such surveys. Their credibility will, of course, depend on their results and the character of the people manipulating the polls.

The indispensable condition is that the survey should be non- partisan and dictated only by the need to crystallize public opinion on problems "that touch the heart of the existing order." All citizens have a legitimate role and responsibility in resolving such issues after a consultation among themselves through such media as the impartial survey.

It is significant that although the Tapatt survey was made before the current groundswell for President Estrada's resignation as a result of the jueteng exposi, as many as 85 percent of the respondents were already for his impeachment last September.

-- The Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network