MORE THAN half of Filipinos say it is unacceptable for Senate candidates from the same family or political dynasty to run together in the same election, according to the February 2025 national survey conducted by non-partisan research firm WR Numero. However, the majority are more accepting of political dynasty candidates running in different election cycles.
The latest Philippine Public Opinion Monitor surveyed Filipinos on their views regarding the acceptability of candidates from political dynasties during elections.
The non-commissioned survey found that political dynasties with multiple candidates running for the Senate in the same election received the highest level of disapproval, with 57% of Filipinos expressing opposition. In contrast, 24% found it acceptable, while 20% were undecided. (See Table 1)
Similarly, when asked regarding candidates hailing from the same family running for mayor, governor, or district representative in the same election cycle, 55% expressed opposition. Meanwhile, 28% found it acceptable, and 17% were unsure. (See Table 1)
In contrast, when asked about candidates running consecutively, such as a son running for mayor after his father completes his term, over half (51%) of Filipinos found this configuration acceptable. In contrast, 32% disagreed, and 16% were unsure. (See Table 1)
Views on political dynasties in the Senate were more divided.
If 10-20% of Senate seats were held by political dynasties, over 2 in 5 Filipinos (41%) found this acceptable, with 31% disagreeing, and 28% undecided. On the other hand, when asked about a scenario where 80 to 90% of Senators came from political dynasties, opinion was more divided. 39% found this unacceptable, 35% found it acceptable, and 26% were unsure. (See Table 2)
The February 2025 Opinion Monitor also revealed a shift in public opinion about political dynasties.
While more than 2 in 5 Filipinos (44%) still consider political dynasties acceptable during elections, the same number believes they are more prone to corruption. This marks a decline from the September 2024 survey, where 56% found political dynasties acceptable, and 50% believed they were more prone to corruption. (See Table 3)
Finally, when asked to identify a political family they believe prioritizes self-serving interests over the public good, most Filipinos (42%) were unable to name a specific political dynasty. Among those who could, the most frequently mentioned dynasties were Marcos (19%), Duterte (10%), Villar (3%), Aquino (2%), and Binay (2%). (See Table 4)
The nationwide, non-commissioned survey, conducted from February 10 to 18, 2025, was done through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,814 Filipinos aged 18 and older. The survey has a margin of error of ±2% at a 95% confidence level. At the subnational level, the margin of error is ±6% for the National Capital Region, ±5% for North and Central Luzon, ±5% for South Luzon, ±5% for the Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao, all at the same 95% confidence level.
The complete Volume 2025, Issue 1 report will be released later today, April 2. The issue features the complete survey findings on the current state of public opinion on the upcoming 2025 general elections, the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, and crucial issues concerning the nation and the world.
