Filipinos are divided over the proposed measures to curb political sovereignty currently moving through Congress, according to a recent WR Numero survey. The political analyst said the result may reflect the public’s general distrust of lawmakers in passing measures aimed at curbing the monarchy.
This survey, released on Tuesday, found that 44% of respondents oppose the lifting of the anti-monarchy law, 6.1% strongly oppose and 37.9% disagree.
Conversely, 38% of respondents expressed support for the proposed measures, while 5.6% strongly agreed and 32.1% agreed. The remaining respondents said they were not sure (15%), while 3% said they had never heard of this issue.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have working versions of the long-awaited Anti-Political Sovereignty Bill, which aims to define and regulate the expansion of political sovereignty in the country—a mandate long envisioned by the 1987 Constitution.
The Senate version includes broad provisions that seek to prevent overlapping policies in national and local offices and prohibit relatives from holding positions in all party-list and elected positions.
It also prevents immediate succession by not allowing a spouse or family member to take over immediately after the incumbent’s term.
Meanwhile, the House advanced its own version, House Bill No. 6771, primarily authored by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos III. The measure restricts political sovereignty within the second degree of convergence or compatibility.
The House version faced pushback from some lawmakers and lawyers because the bill still allows relatives to succeed each other, exchange offices, or hold positions in different areas.
A staunch critic of the House version, Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Edgar ‘Egay’ R. Erice, in a separate statement said it may legitimize political kings instead.
Conflicting opinions about the passage of the anti-political genealogy law, revealed in the study, may explain the general distrust of the public towards the law makers, Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, senior researcher at the Ateneo de Manila University Policy Center, said.
“People see lawmakers working only for their own purposes. People will not trust lawmakers to work for the public interest,” said Mr. Yusingco talking about Messenger.
“Therefore, some may not be convinced of the legitimacy of the anti-royalty law enforcement policy. They may prefer to see the prosecution and conviction of those involved in the corrupt flood control scheme first,” he added.
Mr. Yusingco also described the House bill as “a joy,” saying that it still allows many family members to run for different offices.
“Which means it still allows multiple family members to hold different elected offices – the very definition of political dynasty that the Constitution mandates to be prohibited,” he said.
This anti-dynasty bill has been pushed through past Congresses for a long time but has failed many times due to lack of support in the Legislature dominated by political families.
According to a report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, eight out of ten lawmakers are members of political families.
The WR Numero poll also asked respondents to choose among predetermined reasons why political kings should not be limited.
A large proportion, 46%, said that the fight against corruption should be prioritized first.
Those who are lagging behind, 43% said voters have the right to choose candidates even if they come from the same family.
Meanwhile, 24% said proven family leadership experience is important, while 20% said political generations have become part of the country’s political culture.
Fourteen percent say government improvements are not guaranteed even if this measure is passed, and 9% are not sure.
Regarding the reasons for reducing political generations, 43% of respondents said that it prevents family rule, while 38% said that it makes electoral competition fairer.
In addition, 35% said they would reduce corruption in the government, while 27% said they would allow new leaders to choose.
Fifteen percent said that leaders outside the political monarchy will have a chance, 14% said they would fulfill the constitutional requirements for reducing political monarchy, and 6% were unsure.
The survey also asked respondents the extent to which political sovereignty should be limited. The largest group (31%) said it should not be allowed for parents, spouses, and children.
20 percent said it should go to cousins, and another 20 percent were unsure. Fifteen percent wanted it restricted to grandparents, uncles or aunts, and nieces or nephews.
Fourteen percent said they should include siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws, and cousins.
VP DUTERTE IS STILL KEEPING MOST IN THE 2028 ELECTIONS
The WR Numero poll also asked respondents about voters’ preferences for the 2028 election. Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio remains the favorite of Filipino voters, and the vice presidential race is a hotly contested battle between three candidates.
The survey showed that more than one-third of Filipino voters, or 35.9%, said they would vote for the VP in the election two years from now, marking a slight increase of three percentage points from November 2025.
WR Numero said Ms.
Although the company said that campaign announcements usually do not lead to violence.
Mr. Yusingco said the vice president is still leading for many reasons. His surname carries the legacy of his father, who is one of the most famous presidents in the country.
His current position as vice president also gives the impression that he is ready to take over the presidency, although there may not be a strong competition right now.
However, he noted that Ms. Duterte’s support has not changed since the announcement
“This is remarkable because it means that he has not won others around him. His foundation is strong, but it can also mean that this is very good for him,” said Mr. It’s a joke.
Running for vice president in the poll are two non-Duterte contenders: Rafael “Raffy” T. Tulfo and former Vice President and current Naga City Mayor Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo. Senator Tulfo recorded a pre-election poll of 18.5%, up five percentage points from November, while Mayor Robredo trailed behind at 15.7%, up three points.
However, WR Numero said public opposition to a possible “UniPink”-partnership between Mr. Marcos and opposition groups, such as those associated with Ms. Robredo – “prevents the conditions of future order.”
Other candidates include Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go at 3.6%, a slight decrease of 0.4 percentage points; Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV at 3.2%, up one point; and Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan at 1.4%, down 0.4 points.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara, Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte-Alimurung, DPWH Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon, and MMDA General Manager Nicolas Deloso Torre III emerged as new names in the presidential race, all posting less than 1% in the voter turnout.
The same figure was observed for Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros and Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” C. Remulla Jr.
The number of undecided voters fell by three percentage points to 19.4% in March.
The Philippine Public Opinion Monitor of WR Numero conducted a survey of 1,455 Filipino adults from March 10 to 17. The survey was conducted through face-to-face, computer-assisted personal interviews using a multi-stage sampling method.
The company said the survey has a margin of error of ±3% at the national level, with a confidence level of 95%. – Edg Adrian A. Eva
