More Filipinos believe they have freedom of speech

Anti-pork rally in Luneta (Carlo Mateo / DZBB via Twitter)

MANILA — Results of the recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) indicated that more than half of the adult Filipinos believe that they can freely speak their beliefs, “even if its is against the administration.”

The survey, taken from March 20 to 23 showed that 54 percent of Filipinos agreed that they can “say anything” they want “openly, without fear, even if it is against the administration.”

While more than half of the respondents agreed, 22 percent disagreed and 24 percent were undecided.

Overall, the results brought a net score rating of “strong” at +32.

It was strongest in Metro Manila at +41 with 61 percent of the respondents agreeing and only 20 percent disagreeing.

The list of areas where the net score rating was highest was followed by the balance Luzon at +33 percent with 57 percent who agreed and 24 percent who disagreed.

Visayas followed at +33 percent (51 percent agree, 18 percent disagree) and Mindanao at +23 (46 percent agree, 23 percent disagree).

The results also showed that it was “very strong” at +59 (64 percent agree, five percent disagree) among those in ABC classes, a “strong” +32 among class D (54 percent agree and 22 percent disagree), and a “moderate” +25 (52 percent agree and 27 percent disagree) among class E.