A significant number of Filipinos anticipate rampant vote buying in the upcoming May 2025 midterm elections, according to OCTA Research’s latest Tugon ng Masa survey.
Conducted from February 22 to 28, the survey revealed that 66% of registered Filipino voters believe vote buying will be widespread. The sentiment was more common among males (68%) than females (64%), and was highest among those with a high school education (70%).
“Ang importante dito maniwala ang sambayanan sa proseso at sistema na pinapatupad natin. At the same time maniwala sila na hinding-hindi mangyayari ang ganiyang klaseng iregularidad kung di sila mananahimik,” said Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Erwin Garcia.
Across age groups, younger voters—particularly those aged 25 to 34 (67%) and 18 to 24 (63%)—were more likely to expect vote buying. These groups make up a large chunk of the national electorate.
Urban areas saw slightly higher concern (68%) compared to rural communities (63%). Among socioeconomic classes, those in Class D (68%) and E (60%) were most convinced that vote buying will be common, while a majority in Class ABC (54%) did not share this view.
The same survey showed that 68% of voters believe vote buying could negatively affect the results of the elections. The concern was strongest in Metro Manila (73%), Balance Luzon (72%), and Mindanao (70%).
Garcia reiterated the Comelec’s appeal to the public: “Humihingi kami ng tulong sa mga kababayan natin. Hindi sapat na nakatingin lang tayo kahit di tayo tumatanggap. Mas maganda kung magrereport tayo [at] aaksyon kami.”
So far, Comelec has received 34 complaints related to election violations—23 of which involve vote buying or selling, and 11 tied to the abuse of state resources.
“Kinakailangan may nare-report sa’min para may pagbabasehan ang kilos ng Comelec,” Garcia stressed, warning that candidates caught engaging in such acts may face disqualification and legal action.
