MEDIA RELEASE 
(November 23, 2010)

FROM: Dr. Ana Maria L. Tabunda

Chief Research Fellow
Pulse Asia, Inc.

RE: Pulse Asia’s October 2010 Nationwide Survey on

the Maguindanao Massacre

Pulse Asia is pleased to share with you some findings on the Maguindanao
Massacre from the October 2010 Ulat ng Bayan national survey. We request you to
assist us in informing the public by disseminating this information.

The survey fieldwork was conducted from October 20 to 29, 2010 using face-to-
face interviews. Among the major developments prior to and during the conduct of the
interviews for this survey were: (1) the mixed assessment of the first 100 days in office of
President Benigno S. Aquino III; (2) the release of Malacañang’s review of the Incident
Investigation and Review Committee’s (IIRC) report on the August 2010 Luneta hostage-
taking incident as well as the mixed reactions that the review drew, including the
disappointment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region over the President’s
decision to spare top officials involved in the incident from criminal prosecution; (3)
allegations concerning the involvement in jueteng of some government officials; (4) the
clash between the Catholic Church and the President on the issue of reproductive health,
as well as between the Supreme Court and the President on the latter’s move to rescind
all midnight appointments made by his predecessor; (5) the proclamation issued by Pres.
Aquino granting amnesty to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and over 300 other military
officers and personnel involved in several mutinies, which requires the concurrence of
both chambers of Congress to take effect; (6) the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan
(SK) elections; (7) the approval on second reading of the 2011 national budget by the
House of Representatives; (8) the on-going trials on the Maguindanao massacre and the
NBN-ZTE deal; (9) the Supreme Court’s dismissal of a plagiarism case against one of its
associate members and its issuance of a show cause order asking 37 members of the
University of The Philippines College of Law faculty to explain why they should not be
sanctioned for asking for the resignation of the associate member involved; (10) the
typhoon that hit northern Philippines; and (11) the increase in oil prices, reduction in
electricity rates and the appreciation of the local currency relative to the US dollar.

As in our previous surveys, this nationwide survey is based on a sample of 1,200

representative adults 18 years old and above. It has a ± 3% error margin at the 95%
confidence level. Subnational estimates for each of the geographic areas covered in the
survey (i.e., Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) have a ± 6% error
margin, also at 95% confidence level. Those interested in further technical details
concerning the survey's questionnaire and sampling design may request Pulse Asia in
writing for fuller details, including copies of the pre-tested questions actually used.

Pulse Asia’s pool of academic fellows takes full responsibility for the design and
conduct of the survey, as well as for analyses it makes based on the survey data. In
keeping with our academic nature, no religious, political, economic, or partisan group
influenced any of these processes. Pulse Asia undertakes Ulat ng Bayan surveys on its
own without any party singularly commissioning the research effort.

For any clarification or questions, kindly contact Prof. Ronald D. Holmes, Pulse
Asia President at +81906446597 or Dr. Ana Maria Tabunda, Pulse Asia Chief Research
Fellow at 09189436816.

2
 Pulse Asia’s October 2010 Ulat ng Bayan Survey:
Media Release on the Maguindanao Massacre
23 November 2010

Practically all Filipinos (94%) are aware of the Maguindanao massacre that took
place in 23 November 2009; however, less than half (48%) are following the
developments in the trial

Around nine in ten Filipinos (94%) know about the Maguindanao massacre that
took the lives of 57 individuals exactly a year ago. Awareness of the incident is nearly
universal across geographic areas (91% to 97%) and socio-economic classes (89% to
100%). (See Table 1)

A small majority of those aware of the massacre (48%) is following the

developments in the trial while the rest (52%) reports that they are not monitoring the
trial. At least half of those in Metro Manila (50%) and Classes ABC and D (51% to 53%)
are following the Maguindanao massacre trial while majorities of those in the rest of
Luzon (51%), Mindanao (52%), the Visayas (53%) and Class E (61%) are not. (See Table
1)

Even though most Filipinos (83%) think the Maguindanao massacre trial is moving
slowly/very slowly, the majority sentiment is that there will be justice in the end
(80%)

Most Filipinos are of the view that the ongoing trial in the Maguindanao massacre
is moving slowly/very slowly (83%) – a sentiment shared by majorities across geographic
areas (77% to 86%) and socio-economic classes (76% to 91%). In particular, 51% of
Filipinos consider the pace of the trial to be slow while 32% think it is very slow. Less
than one in ten Filipinos says the trial is moving fast/very fast (7%). Indecision on the
matter is expressed by 9% of Filipinos. (See Table 1)

Despite their disappointment with the pace of the trial, 80% of Filipinos believe
that in the end, justice will be served and those who are guilty will be punished. This
view is articulated by majorities in all geographic areas (71% to 87%) and socio-
economic groupings (77% to 81%). One in ten Filipinos (10%) has a contrary opinion on
the matter, with basically similar figures being recorded across geographic areas (5% to
16%) and socio-economic classes (9% to 15%). While those in the Visayas and
Mindanao are most inclined to believe that the aggrieved parties in the trial will get
justice (85% to 87%), Metro Manilans are most likely to disagree with this view (16%).
Public ambivalence is expressed by 11% of Filipinos, with indecision levels ranging from
8% to 13% across geographic areas and 9% to 11% in Classes ABC, D and E. (See Table
1)

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 Table 1
MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE TRIAL
October 20 - 29, 2010 / Philippines
(In Percent)

Have you heard, read or watched anything about

the trial of the Maguindanao massacre or the
killing of 57 people last November 23, 2009 in
the town of Ampatuan, Maguindanao or not? LOCATION CLASS
(Base: Total interviews, 100%) RP NCR BL VIS MIN ABC D E

Yes I have 94 97 93 91 97 100 96 89

None 6 3 7 9 3 0 4 11

(Base: Aware of the Maguindanao Massacre trial, 94%)

Are you following the developments in the
Maguindanao massacre trial or not?

Yes, following 48 50 49 47 48 51 53 39
No 52 50 51 53 52 49 47 61

Would you say that the pace of the ongoing trial

on the Maguindanao massacre is fast or slow?

Very fast / Fast 7 4 7 7 8 3 7 7

Very fast 1 0 1 2 2 0 2 1
Fast 6 4 6 5 6 3 6 6
Undecided 9 11 7 12 9 6 6 14
Slow / Very slow 83 85 86 77 83 91 86 76
Slow 51 61 55 52 37 52 53 47
Very slow 32 24 31 25 46 39 33 30
Don’t know 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 2

Agreement/Disagreement to Test Statement:

"There will be justice and those who are
guilty will be punished."

Agree 80 71 77 87 85 77 80 81
Undecided 11 13 12 8 8 9 11 10
Disagree 10 16 11 5 7 15 9 9

Q123. Kayo po ba ay may narinig, nabasa o napanood tungkol sa pagdinig ng kaso ng Maguindanao massacre o ang nangyaring
pagpatay sa 57 nakatao noong Nobyembre 23, 2009 sa bayan ng Ampatuan, Maguindanao o wala pa?
Q124. Sinusundan po ba ninyo o hindi ang mga kaganapan sa paglilitis/pagdinig ng kaso ng Maguindanao massacre?
Q125. Masasabi po ba ninyo na ang takbo ng paglilitis tungkol sa Maguindanao massacre ay mabilis o mabagal?
Q126. "Magkakaroon ng katarungan at ang mga may sala ay mapaparusahan."

Notes: (1) % Agree = % Very Much Agree plus % Agree; % Disagree = % Disagree plus % Very Much Disagree
(2) Figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding off.