MANILA — In the recent PAHAYAG 2024 (PQ3-2024) Third Quarter survey, results have shown that corruption (18%) has climbed up as the top pressing issue that Filipinos believe requires the urgent attention of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM). This shift in concern has moved corruption ahead of other significant issues, such as rising prices and inflation (15%), the economy (12%), and poverty (11%), which continue to be key points of focus for the public.
The survey, conducted from September 15-19, 2024, highlights the evolving priorities of the Filipino people as they adapt to the current socio-economic climate. While the public’s concerns remain largely consistent, there is a notable shift in the ranking of these issues. Corruption now tops the list, reflecting a growing frustration with governance and accountability across different sectors of society.
Following closely behind is prices and inflation, which previously topped the list in PQ2-2024, remain a persistent issue for Filipinos, as rising costs of essential goods continue to strain household budgets. The economy and poverty rank third, further underscoring the public’s desire for policies that directly address their day-to-day challenges.
Fear of tomorrow
The survey also indicates that as the country moves into the next quarter, the primary concern for households is the fear of being unable to provide for their family’s basic needs (14%). This fear reflects the deep impact of ongoing economic uncertainties, which have been exacerbated by inflationary pressures and other socio-economic factors. This is followed by a similar concern which is the fear of not being able to buy basic commodities due to prices (13%) and not getting enough pay (12%).
Sufficient wealth and good health are Filipinos’ top ‘happiness’ goals
Amid widespread concerns over the country’s perceived downward trajectory in terms of governance and economic prospects, 7 in 10 or 71% of registered voters still report feeling happy — a reflection of the nation’s renowned resiliency. The majority of voters prioritize two key goals – securing financial stability (50%) and maintaining good health (41%), as they navigate these uncertain times.
PAHAYAG 2024 Third Quarter (PQ3-2024), conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc., is an independent and non-commissioned survey. The survey period was from 15 to 19 September 2024 using purposive sampling composed of 1,500 respondents randomly drawn from the market research panel of over 200,000 registered Filipino voters maintained by the Singapore office of PureSpectrum, a US-based panel marketplace with a multinational presence.
For more information on the survey methodology and detailed results, please visit www.publicusasia.com/pahayag.
