President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by outgoing officer-in-charge and Deputy Director General Espina, troops the line to signal the start of the PNP change of command ceremony and retirement honors for P/DDG Leonardo Espina in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Thursday (July 16, 2015). The Commander-in-Chief has appointed Police Director Ricardo Marquez as the new PNP Chief replacing Espina following the latter’s retirement. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday made another pitch for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in the wake of a new Social Weather Stations survey showing 43 percent of Filipinos do not see much “real” improvement in the situation of Muslims in the Philippines.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the SWS survey result confirmed the need for a “comprehensive” solution to peace, order and security in Mindanao.
“I think this only confirms the resolve why we need to have a comprehensive solution when it comes to peace, order and security in Mindanao,” she said on state-run dzRB radio.
“Naniniwala pa rin (tayo na) magandang solusyon ang pagpasa ng BBL para ma-address hindi lang political na pangangailangan pero pangangailangan sa peace (at pangangailangan sa) security at magkaroon ng magandang pamayanan para tumulong sa kanilang mga buhay,” she added.
She had been asked to comment on the SWS survey’s finding that 43 percent of Filipinos do not see much “real” improvement in the situation of Muslims in the Philippines, according to a new survey by Social Weather Stations.
The SWS survey noted such a sentiment is shared by 64 percent of Muslims interviewed in the survey conducted June 5 to 8.
In its survey conducted June 5 to 8, SWS also said nearly half or 47 percent are open to improving their situation with so-called “preferential treatment.”
When presented with the statement, “In the past few years there hasn’t been much real improvement in the position of Muslims in this country [Sa mga nakaraang taon, wala naman masyadong pagbuti sa kalagayan ng mga Muslim sa bansa]”:
43 percent agreed and 25 percent disagreed, for a moderate net agreement of +18 (agree minus disagree)
30 percent were undecided about the matter.
To the statement, “We should make every possible effort to improve the position of Muslims even if it means giving them preferential treatment [Dapat nating gawin ang lahat ng posibleng pagsisikap para mapabuti ang kalagayan ng mga Muslim, kahit na mangahulugan itong mas binibigyang-pabor ang pagtrato sa kanila]”:
47 percent agreed and 28 percent disagreed, for a moderate net agreement of +18
24 percent were undecided about the matter
By religion, the survey showed more Muslims expressed disappointment about their position in the Philippines.
To the statement: “In the past few years there hasn’t been much real improvement in the position of Muslims in this country”:
Muslims: “very strong” +51 (64 percent agree, 13 percent disagree)
other Christians (non-Catholics): “strong” +31 (50 percent agree, 19 percent disagree)
Catholics: “moderate” +16 (42 percent agree, 26 percent disagree)
Iglesia Ni Cristos: “poor” -20 (24 percent agree, 44 percent disagree)
Muslims also sought preferential treatment, the survey showed.
By religion, net agreement with “We should make every possible effort to improve the position of Muslims even if it means giving them preferential treatment” was very strong among Muslims, and moderate among other Christians, Catholics, and Iglesia Ni Cristos.
Muslims: +82 (86 percent agree, 5 percent disagree)
other Christians: +17 (47 percent agree, 30 percent disagree)
Catholics: +15 (44 percent agree, 29 percent disagree)
Iglesia Ni Cristos: +10 (43 percent agree, 33 percent disagree)
The SWS survey also showed those disappointed with the position of Muslims are pressing more for preferential treatment. (MNS)