One out of five Filipinos still considers cronyism a "very serious" problem under the watch of President Benigno Aquino III, according to a new poll by Social Weather Stations.
The poll found that 20 percent of respondents considered cronyism "very serious," the same level as in March 2012 and higher than the 19 percent in November 2010.
Around 40 percent said cronyism was “somewhat serious,” higher than the 37 percent in March 2012 but lower than the 44 percent in November 2010.
About 17 percent said cronyism was “a little serious” while 22 percent said it was “hardly serious.”
“(But) the public’s perception of cronyism in the present administration had no correlation with their satisfaction with the performance of Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III as president,” the SWS qualified,
The survey was taken from March 27 to 30 and had 1,200 respondents. Sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national and ±6 percent for area percentages applied to the survey.
The SWS said it first started asking the question of cronyism in September 1999 during the term of then President Joseph Estrada.
By region
In Metro Manila, 22 percent believed cronyism was “very serious” under Aquino’s presidency. This was “barely changed” from 22 percent in 2012 and higher than 21 percent in 2010.
In Balance Luzon, 21 percent believe cronyism was “very serious,” lower than 22 percent in 2012 and higher than 16 percent in 2010.
Of the respondents from Visayas, 18 percent believed it was "very serious," higher than 13 percent in 2012 and lower than 22 percent in 2010.
Meanwhile, in Mindanao, those who consider cronyism "very serious" hardly changed at 20 percent, from 22 percent in 2012 and 19 percent in 2010.
Other administrations
When the SWS first asked about cronyism during Estrada administration, 27 percent of respondents then said cronyism was “very serious.”
This rose to 30 percent two months later, declined to 26 percent in March 2000, 21 percent in June 2000 and 20 percent in September 2000. However, it rose to 30 percent at the end of 2000.
From September 1999 to December 2000, those who said cronyism was “somewhat serious” under Estrada ranged from 33 to 44 percent.
In January 2001, at the start of the Arroyo administration, the SWS asked respondents a slightly different question: “Cronies are those who use their friendship with the president to enrich themselves in improper ways. In your opinion, what is the possibility that cronyism will be widespread under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?”
Seventeen percent said it would “definitely happen” while 47 percent replied “probably will happen.”
About 26 percent said this “probably will not happen” while 9 percent said it “definitely will not happen.”
In February 2001 the second part of the question was revised to “How serious, in your opinion, will cronyism be in the Arroyo administration?”
Of the respondents, 22 percent said it would be “very serious” while 41 percent said it would be “somewhat serious.” About 21 percent said it is “a little serious” while 14 percent said it is “hardly serious.”--Source: GMA News