SEVEN out of 10 Filipinos said they would vote for candidates advocating against graft and corruption, the February 15 to 19 survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.
The Stratbase Consultancy Group-commissioned survey, which involved 1,800 adult respondents nationwide with a 2 percent margin of error, showed 70 percent would vote for a candidate who will advocate “eradicating graft and corruption in government,” which is unchanged from 70 percent in January.
Stratbase President Dindo Manhit said corruption is an important election issue because “corruption is more than just a political issue; it is a daily burden on every Filipino.
“Every peso lost to corruption is a peso taken from essential services that could’ve uplifted the lives of ordinary citizens. Corruption deepens poverty. It rewards the powerful and abusive while leaving the poor behind. It forces hardworking Filipinos to pay extra for services that should be free and accessible. Worse, it normalizes dishonesty in society, making it harder for honest leaders to create real change,” he added.
Manhit also said the conduct of elections is the most important accountability mechanism in a democratic country like the Philippines as it allows citizens to elect leaders who will act in their best interests and remove from power those who have abused public trust and public funds.
“Through elections, we hold officials accountable for their actions. If they fail to deliver on their promises, misuse public funds, or engage in corruption, the ballot is our weapon to replace them. When we vote wisely, we set higher standards for leadership and demand good governance,” he added.
The midterm elections are set in May this year and candidates vying for national positions, such as the Senate and Party lists in the House of Representatives, have started campaigning in February, while those running for local positions would start campaigning on March 28.
Over the weekend, the SWS said based on its February survey, Filipinos would vote for candidates who would advocate for the development of agriculture and ensuring food security at 90 percent (from 94 percent in January) and strengthening the health care system also at 90 percent (from 93 percent).
Other advocacies that Filipinos want a candidate to support are increasing job opportunities and equal access to education at 89 percent each (from 94 percent and 92 percent, respectively), and workers’ rights and overseas Filipino workers’ welfare at 88 percent (from 92 percent).
They will also vote for candidates advocating reducing poverty and hunger and addressing the impact of climate change at 83 percent (down from 87 percent); controlling the prices of basic goods and services at 81 percent (down from 85 percent); and addressing climate change and enhancing disaster preparedness at 79 percent (down from 87 percent).
Other advocacies are defending national security and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea at 77 percent (down 83 percent), fighting illegal drugs at 77 percent (down from 79 percent), and attaining energy security and usage of renewable energy at 75 percent (down 82 percent).
Voters will also back candidates who support fighting crimes that victimize ordinary citizens at 72 percent; eradicate graft and corruption at 70 percent (unchanged); enact laws against political dynasty at 63 percent (up from 59 percent); and advocate for a fair impeachment trial of Vice President sara Duterte at the Senate at 53 percent.
