MAJORITY of Filipinos believe that job creation, livelihood generation and financial literacy are the top issues or concerns that should be included in the platform of candidates running for senator in the 2025 midterm elections while a near majority said it should also include investment-led economic growth and fighting corruption.
The September 6 to 13 survey of Pulse Asia, which involved 1,200 respondents with a margin of error of ±3 percent, was commissioned by Stratbase ADR.
The results showed that 57 percent of Filipinos believe that job creation, livelihood generation and financial literacy are the top issues that senatorial candidates should address and carry in their platform while 44 percent said it is investment-led economic growth Another 41 percent said it is fighting corruption.
The survey also found that 33 percent said it should be quality health; 29 percent, quality education; 24 percent, peace and order; 19 percent, wider internet access or connectivity; 18 percent, building various renewable energy resources; 17 percent, reliable mass transport; 15 percent, illegal drugs; 0.4 percent said they do not have knowledge or an opinion and 0.1 percent did not answer.
Except for Mindanao, the majority of respondents from Metro Manila (70 percent) and Luzon (57 percent and different socio-economic classes (56 percent to 61 percent) said job creation, livelihood generation and financial literacy should be the main platform of candidates.
In the Visayas, the majority of the respondents (60 percent and 50 percent) said job creation, livelihood generation and financial literacy; and investment-led economic growth should also be included.
In Mindanao, a near majority of 47 percent and 46 percent said the platforms of candidates should include job creation, livelihood generation and financial literacy; and fighting corruption.
Pulse Asia also found that 91 percent of the respondents agree with the statement “government officials involved in corruption must be held accountable” while nine9 percent disagreed.
A majority also believed that controlling corruption would increase the trust of citizens in government (61 percent); improve the lives of ordinary citizens (58 percent); and result in economic growth (52 percent); while a near majority said it would result in good governance (45 percent); and ensure effective delivery of public services (40 percent).
Thirty-five percent said it would lead to the efficient utilization of government funds and resources.
Pulse Asia also said that Filipinos believe that the effects of corruption that affect the people the most are: loss of trust in government and public officials (65 percent); worsening poverty (51 percent); inefficient service delivery (45 percent); abuse and intimidation by members of government (43 percent); and the public’s being desensitized to corrupt practices in government (41 percent).
Thirty-nine percent said it could also lead to significant loss of funds while 11 percent said it could result in a non-competitive economy.
