As the May 2025 elections draw near, a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey reveals that Filipinos continue to prioritize economic and social welfare issues in choosing their candidates—emphasizing the critical role of voter discernment in safeguarding democratic rights.
Commissioned by the Stratbase Group, the survey conducted from March 15 to 20, 2025, found that 92 percent of Filipinoswill vote for candidates who push for job creation, making it the top advocacy for the third straight month. Similarly, support remains high for candidates advocating for healthcare improvements and food security (91 percent), education access (90 percent), and affordable basic goods and services (85 percent).
Stratbase Group president Dindo Manhit underscored the significance of these findings, stressing that they reflect the public’s urgent economic concerns. “Many Filipinos still struggle with everyday needs,” he said. “Voters are not just looking for promises—they want real, tangible solutions.”
The survey, which included 1,800 respondents and has a plus minus 2 percent margin of error, also showed rising concern over poverty and hunger, with support for candidates addressing these issues climbing to 86 percent, and inflation-focused advocacies rising to 85 percent in March.
Interestingly, traditional political platforms like anti-drug and anti-corruption campaigns were notably absent from the top 10 list of voter priorities—indicating a shift toward basic needs and livelihood as the most influential factors in electoral decisions.
Manhit urged candidates to align their platforms with these pressing needs and called on voters to be more critical. “Ask: Can they really deliver? What’s their track record?” he advised. “Listen carefully, think critically, and vote for those who will truly work for the people—not just during the campaign, but throughout their term.”
With just over a month to election day, the survey serves as a crucial reminder that voting is not just a right—it’s a responsibility, and understanding the issues that matter most is key to making that right count.
