2 weeks ago
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Janvic Mateo - The Philippine Star
March 1, 2025 | 12:00am
Vice President Sara Duterte addresses the media at the Office of the Vice President in Mandaluyong City on February 7, 2025, days after the House of Representatives approved her impeachment.
Photos by Philstar.com / Martin Ramos
MANILA, Philippines — While a majority consider the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte a key issue in the upcoming polls, a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that it was not among the top considerations of Filipinos when choosing who to vote for.
The Feb. 15 to 19 poll commissioned by the Stratbase Group showed only 53 percent of the respondents saying they will vote for a candidate who will advocate for a fair trial of Duterte at the Senate.
It was lowest among the 15 issues provided to the survey respondents.
Based on the latest poll, agriculture, health care, employment and education remain the key consideration for most voters.
Some 90 percent of respondents said they will support candidates who will advocate for the development of agriculture and ensure food security and those who vow to strengthen the country’s health care system.
It was followed by those who advocate increasing job opportunities (89 percent), equal access to education (89 percent), workers’ rights and welfare (88 percent), reducing poverty and hunger (83 percent) and addressing inflation (81 percent).
Other top considerations include issues such as climate change (79 percent), national security and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (77 percent), illegal drugs (77 percent) and energy security and the use of renewable energy (75 percent).
Some 72 percent said they will vote for candidates who advocate fighting common crimes, while 70 percent said they will support those campaigning on the promise to eradicate graft and corruption.
Only 63 percent of respondents said they will vote for candidates pushing for the enactment of a law against political dynasties.
In a statement, Stratbase president Dindo Manhit said the survey results highlight the current priorities of the Filipino people.
“These findings suggest that affordability and accessibility of essential goods, particularly food, remain major concerns for many Filipinos. We need candidates who will prioritize food security and take decisive action to address the rising prices of essential goods that Filipinos rely on,” he said.
“Strengthening the agriculture sector and ensuring a stable food supply can ultimately help control the cost of basic goods and services while also reducing poverty and hunger across the country,” he added.
Despite the lower inflation recorded in recent months, Manhit stressed that the prices of essential goods continue to rise.
“This persistent upward trend in prices highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring food affordability and accessibility, making it a critical issue that candidates must address in the upcoming elections,” added the Stratbase chief.
The latest SWS survey had 1,800 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.31 percent.
