Filipinos signal need for political reform ahead of 2025 Elections – survey

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

As the 2025 Philippine midterm elections approach, a new survey titled “Survey on Attitudes toward Political Parties and Reforms in the Philippines” has cast light on the changing perceptions and attitudes of Filipinos toward their political system.

The survey, conducted by PARTICIPATE and the Ateneo Policy Center, sought to understand the populace’s sentiments regarding political party familiarity, effectiveness in public service delivery, electoral behavior, and the demand for political reform.

Significantly, 32% of Filipinos reported familiarity with political parties. The National Capital Region stands out, with just over half (52%) indicating awareness.

However, this familiarity shows notable regional disparities, with areas like North Luzon, South Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao demonstrating substantial unfamiliarity rates of 77%, 66%, 64%, and 74%, respectively.

Despite this unfamiliarity, Filipinos overwhelmingly regard political parties as essential mechanisms for providing public services and representation and establishing important community ties.

The survey reveals a surprising trend: Filipinos gravitate towards political parties primarily due to their commitment to public service and community welfare (nearly 90%), as opposed to influences from peers, celebrities, or religious entities, which only sway about 64%.

Furthermore, the research dispels the notion that Filipino voters are easily enticed by electoral machinery and financial incentives. Approximately 80% of the respondents believe that genuine popular support is what wins elections.

When casting their votes, around 70% do so according to their conscience rather than the perceived viability of a candidate. An overwhelming majority (around 90%) prioritize candidates focused on the welfare of the community and the public good over personal gain.

In terms of satisfaction with the current political system, the results are split; approximately 50% of both those familiar and unfamiliar with political parties are content.

However, there is a clear consensus on the need for improvement. A striking majority, encompassing around 70% of those unfamiliar and 90% of those familiar with political parties, express a robust appetite for significant reform of the existing framework.

Despite this, there is a notable lack of awareness regarding ongoing reform initiatives, such as House Bill No. 488, also known as the Political Party Development Act of 2022.

Approximately 85% of the populace remains uninformed about this promising legislative effort to reform campaign financing and provide subsidies to political parties.

This survey illuminates the complex landscape of democratic development in the Philippines. While there are evident challenges, Filipinos display a strong desire for change. This collective yearning for improvement ignites hope for a brighter democratic future.

The “Survey on Attitudes toward Political Parties and Reforms in the Philippines” contributes to the ongoing research efforts of the PARTICIPATE coalition and the Ateneo Policy Center.

PARTICIPATE, a non-partisan, pro-democracy group, aims to boost political engagement among Filipinos, while the Ateneo Policy Center, a public policy think tank of the Ateneo School of Government, continues to investigate the facets of political party development in the nation.

Together, these organizations underscore the urgency for greater public engagement and awareness, to ensure a well-informed electorate come the next elections.