MANILA – Six out of 10 Filipinos are, statistically, in favor for the prospective reimposition of death penalty on heinous crimes related to illegal drugs, according to the First Quarter Social Weather Stations survey.
Results of the survey indicated that 61 percent of the 1,200 Filipino respondents, who were interviewed face-to-face, approved of the proposal, with 36% of the responses coming in at the “strongly approve” category, and 24% indicating they “somewhat approve.”
Meanwhile, only 23% did not approve of the proposal.
Aside from the public’s opinion on death penalty, the SWS also asked the respondents’ level of knowledge regarding the House of Representatives’ proposed law to reimpose the death penalty on heinous crimes related illegal drugs.
Survey results on this question showed that slightly less than half (48%) of the respondents have “extensive” or “partial but sufficient knowledge,” while 52% have either “only a little” or “almost no knowledge” about the topic.
The survey, which was conducted on March 25 to 28, 2017, asked respondents two questions:
- Do you approve or disapprove of the proposed law that will reimpose the death penalty on heinous crimes pertaining to illegal drugs?”
- Recently, the Lower House of Congress or House of Representatives approved their version of the proposed bill to reimpose the death penalty on heinous crimes related to illegal drugs. How would you describe your knowledge regarding this proposed law? Do you have (SHOWCARD: Extensive, Partial but sufficient, Only a little, Almost nothing or nothing) knowledge?
More supportive in Metro Manila
The survey reported that the proposal to reimpose the death penalty gained stronger support among Metro Manila respondents, with a 75% approval rate, followed by Balance Luzon (63%), Visayas (56%), and Mindanao (53%).
Meanwhile, many of those with little or no knowledge were from Mindanao, at 63% followed by Visayas at 51%, Balance Luzon at 49%, and Metro Manila at 46%.
In terms of social class, those at the upper class ABC were most supportive of the death penalty, with a 76% rating. The remaining classes D and E also expressed high approval rate at 62% and 50%, respectively.
ABC were also the most knowledgeable, at 65%, while, with D and E, more than half of the respondents indicated little or almost no knowledge.
The survey was conducted just weeks after the House of Representatives, voting 216-54-1, approved on third and final reading the bill seeking to restore the death penalty in the country.
The matter was among the major campaign promises of President Rodrigo Duterte under his advocacy of peace and order in the country.
The bill initially listed 21 crimes, including rape and plunder, as offenses punishable by death. But the lower chamber later on limited the list to just drug-related crimes and offenses.
After passing at the House, the bill was transmitted to the Senate where it is expected to face tougher opposition, as nine senators had already expressed their stand against it.
Read the SWS survey report here.
