A new poll has reaffirmed Facebook’s grip on how Filipinos consume news, with three out of four respondents naming the platform as a place they turn to for information even as concerns over online falsehoods persist.
The figures come from a Pulse Asia survey fielded between May 3 and 7 on behalf of the Stratbase group. Among those polled, 75 percent identified Facebook as a news source, the single most cited platform in the study. YouTube followed at 38 percent, with TikTok drawing 11 percent and dedicated online news websites trailing at just 10 percent.
Taken together, 83 percent of respondents said they get their news from online platforms. Because participants could name as many as three sources, the combined tally runs past 100 percent.
Traditional media still hold ground, though unevenly. Television was cited by 64 percent, while radio registered 27 percent. Print fared worst of all, with only 3 percent pointing to newspapers.
Personal connections also figured into the responses. Roughly 31 percent said they hear news through family and friends, and 18 percent named friends and acquaintances.
For Stratbase founder Dindo Manhit, the numbers carry a clear warning for those eyeing the next national vote. “The battle for public opinion in 2028 will be fought largely online. Candidates and political movements that fail to engage voters in the digital space risk losing relevance, especially among younger and highly connected Filipinos,” he said.
He cautioned, however, against writing off older channels entirely. “At the same time, the continued influence of television, family networks and radio reminds us that campaigns must still communicate across multiple platforms and communities if they hope to build a truly national constituency,” Manhit said.
The poll forms part of the group’s initial round of pre-election research geared toward the 2028 elections.
