MORE Filipinos are expressing their dissatisfaction with the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the latest survey conducted by Publicus Asia Inc. The Pahayag End of the Year survey, conducted from November 29 to December 4, revealed a significant shift in pro-administration sentiment, which declined from 50 percent in the third quarter to 46 percent in the fourth quarter.
The survey also showed that anti-administration sentiment remained stable at 18 percent, while the number of Filipinos adopting a neutral stance increased from 30 percent to 36 percent during the same period.
Publicus Asia stated that economic concerns, such as price inflation, joblessness, low wages, and a perceived lack of productivity, are the driving factors behind this changing political landscape. These issues, which have not been adequately addressed by the administration, have led to a noticeable migration of pro-administration voters towards neutrality.
The National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed a significant drop in pro-administration sentiment from 49 percent to 33 percent. Similarly, Mindanao and North-Central Luzon (NCL) showed declines of 51 percent and 49 percent, respectively.
Publicus Asia highlighted that neutral sentiments increased across all regions, indicating a shift towards non-partisanship. Additionally, anti-opposition sentiment decreased from 40 percent to 32 percent, while neutral sentiments increased from 42 percent to 47 percent.
Publicus Asia attributed the persistence of the “Duterte effect” to the Opposition Party’s struggle with discreditation from the previous administration. Regionally, pro-opposition support remained relatively stable, experiencing marginal increases in the NCR, NCL, and Mindanao.
However, anti-opposition sentiment declined across all regions, showcasing a shift towards neutrality. Publicus Asia emphasized that the proportion of Filipino voters adopting a neutral stance towards the opposition has notably increased in the NCR, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The Pahayag 2023 End of the Year Survey was non-commissioned and used purposive sampling. The survey included 1,500 respondents randomly drawn from the market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos maintained by the Singapore office of PureSpectrum. It is important to note that the sample was restricted to registered Filipino voters maintained by PureSpectrum, a US-based panel marketplace with a multinational presence.
Overall, the survey results indicate a growing dissatisfaction among Filipinos with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration. Economic concerns appear to be the primary driver of this sentiment shift. As the administration continues to grapple with these issues, it will be crucial for them to address the concerns of the Filipino people in order to regain their support.
Source: The Manila Times
