A large majority of Filipinos continue to express support for democracy, yet many remain dissatisfied with how it addresses the country’s challenges, according to the latest Tugon ng Masa survey by OCTA Research.
The nationwide poll, conducted from September 25 to 30, 2025, found that 80 percent of Filipinos favor democracy as a system of government, while 18 percent disagreed and 2 percent were undecided.
Regional responses, however, revealed mixed sentiments. Support was strongest in Balanced Luzon (84 percent) and lowest in the Visayas (72 percent), where more than a quarter of respondents (26 percent) disagreed.
When asked about satisfaction with how democracy currently works, only 41 percent said they were satisfied, while 31 percent expressed dissatisfaction and 26 percent were undecided. The highest satisfaction rate came from Balanced Luzon (55 percent), while discontent was most pronounced in the Visayas (44 percent) and Mindanao (39 percent).
By socioeconomic class, those under Class E reported the highest satisfaction at 47 percent, compared to those in Classes ABC and D.
OCTA noted that the results show democracy remains “an enduring ideal,” but satisfaction with its practice is “uneven and marked by significant levels of dissatisfaction,” particularly among older and rural Filipinos.
“This pattern suggests that many Filipinos continue to value democracy but question its effectiveness in addressing persistent social and governance issues,” OCTA said, adding that the growing number of dissatisfied respondents signals frustration over how democratic institutions function.
The survey was based on interviews with 1,200 respondents and carries a ±3 percent margin of error nationwide.
