SWS: Ninoy among top 3 genuine Pinoy heroes

MANILA, Philippines - The martyred former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was among the top three considered genuine Filipino heroes, the latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed yesterday.

Three-fourths of respondents or 75 percent named national hero Dr. José Rizal, 34 percent named Andres Bonifacio, and 20 percent named Ninoy, the late father of President Aquino.

The other personalities named as genuine Filipino heroes included the President’s late mother, former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, and Apolinario Mabini tied at 14 percent; Emilio Aguinaldo at 11 percent; the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos at 5.1 percent; former presidents Ramon Magsaysay at 4.3 percent, Manuel Quezon at 3.8 percent and Lapu-Lapu at 3.7 percent.

The SWS asked the 1,200 survey respondents the question, “Who are the persons whom you consider a genuine Filipino?” They were allowed to name five personalities.

Majorities in all areas named Rizal as the person considered to be a genuine Filipino hero: 79 percent in balance Luzon, 79 percent in the Visayas, 74 percent in Metro Manila, and 68 percent in Mindanao.

Bonifacio consistently followed at second place with 47 percent in Metro Manila, 35 percent in the Visayas, 34 percent in balance Luzon, and 25 percent in Mindanao.

Ninoy Aquino was third most cited in Metro Manila at 33 percent, Visayas (20 percent), and balance Luzon (18 percent), while Cory Aquino was third most cited in Mindanao (19 percent).

Rizal was also the most cited person considered to be a genuine Filipino hero in all classes: 79 percent in class E, 75 percent in class D and 70 percent in class ABC.

The March 2011 Social Weather Survey was conducted from March 4 to 7, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, the balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

It has sampling error margins of plus or minus three percentage points for national percentages and plus or minus six percentage points for area percentages.