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