Filipino voters continue to place the highest value on candidates who can deliver jobs, ensure food security, and strengthen the country’s healthcare system, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed.
Conducted from April 11 to 14, the survey showed that 93% of respondents would vote for candidates who have clear programs to create more job opportunities — an issue that has consistently topped public concern for several months.
Another 93% said they favor candidates with solid plans to boost agriculture, ensuring a stable food supply for all Filipinos.
“Inflation continues to eat into daily wages,” said Stratbase ADR Institute President Dindo Manhit. “Filipinos are not asking for much — only for the dignity of stable work and the ability to support their loved ones.”
The state of the country’s healthcare system followed closely, with 91% of respondents urging candidates to prioritize reforms and access to quality health services.
Concerns about workers’ rights, including those of overseas Filipino workers, ranked next, cited by 88% of respondents. Reducing poverty and hunger came in fifth, reflecting long-standing socioeconomic challenges, with recent data showing over 60% of households still grappling with food insecurity.
Issues like education access and rising costs of goods and services were each cited by 85%, while climate change, illegal drugs, and national security—including sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea—also figured prominently.
Meanwhile, the survey noted a shift in senatorial preferences. While administration-aligned candidates remain dominant, support has grown for contenders linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte following his arrest by the International Criminal Court and Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent impeachment.
The poll, which involved 1,800 adults nationwide and carries a ±2% margin of error, serves as an early barometer for the 2025 midterm elections — with voters making it clear: performance and action matter more than promises.
