Voters Back Aquino 4-1, Unofficial Returns Show

MANILA — President Corazon Aquino won a decisive victory today as Filipinos overwhelmingly endorsed her proposed constitution and 5 1/2 more years of her leadership, unofficial returns showed.

Filipinos backed the draft charter by a 4-1 margin nationwide, according to the unofficial count by the private National Movement for Free Elections. Only in the northern Luzon Island stronghold of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos did a majority of voters appear to have rejected the proposal.

Final, official returns from the Commission on Elections are not expected before next week.

The private vote-count showed an approval margin of more than 80%--5,374,617 to 1,294,656--with 27% of the 86,703 precincts reporting nationwide.

54% Opposed in Luzon

Partial, unofficial returns from seven northern Luzon provinces showed about 54% in the region were opposed to Aquino’s proposal. Opposition was also strong in Manila-area precincts at military installations.

Mutinous soldiers linked to Marcos attempted a revolt last week but were put down by government troops. Some military officials, including one of the coup leaders, have criticized the government’s peace overtures to end the 18-year-old Communist insurgency.

Voters were asked to state “yes” or “no” on whether they supported ratification of the 20,000-word draft, which sharply reduces the power of the president, restores a bicameral legislature, bans the military from political activity except voting and expands human rights guarantees.

The charter, completed in October by a 48-member commission appointed by Aquino, also guarantees her a six-year term.

Vote of Confidence

The plebiscite marked the first time Aquino turned to the electorate for an endorsement of her 11-month-old leadership, and her supporters described the balloting as a vote of confidence.

Former Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, who campaigned against ratification, claimed that Aquino used the plebiscite to run for reelection uncontested.

Leftists, including labor groups and the Communist Party, denounced the charter as “pro-imperialist” and said it did not go far enough in changing Philippine society.

Right-wing criticism has centered on a provision that extends Aquino’s term to June 30, 1992. They have questioned the mandate Aquino claimed in last February’s fraud-tainted presidential election.

80%-90% Participation

Ramon Felipe, chairman of the Commission on Elections, estimated 80% to 90% of the 25 million registered voters participated. The eight-hour balloting was completed with only scattered reports of violence or fraud.