[DECODED] Corruption, inflation, education are top of mind for voters – Nerve survey

(Editor’s note: This is the first of three stories on results from The Nerve’s survey exploring voter trends in the lead-up to the 2025 national and local elections.)

MANILA, Philippines – Corruption, inflation, and education are top of mind for Rappler readers as they decide who to vote for in the upcoming 2025 senatorial elections, a survey conducted by data forensics firm The Nerve found. 

At least 67% of the total 2,700 Rappler readers included in the online survey considered corruption as the “most important [concern] for the Philippines.” Out of this number, 62% believe that the best way for the Senate to prevent corruption is to ensure transparency in government transactions, while 21% think more effective laws and penalties are needed. 

The survey on the Rappler website was conducted between September 19 and 20, 2024, before the filing of the certificates of candidacy in October. The respondents — Rappler readers who are eligible voters for the 2025 national and local elections — were asked, among others: Which of the following issues do you consider most important for the Philippines?

Over half of the respondents are based in Luzon — with 38% from the National Capital Region, 12% from Central Luzon, and 17% from Calabarzon. Meanwhile, at least 33% of respondents are from other regions across the country. 

Other than general voter trends, Nerve also used cohort analysis which algorithmically group respondents based on the similarities of their responses to the survey.

At least 28.7% of the total 2,700 respondents are classified under the practical working class cohort, meaning these are lower to middle-income voters who can be considered “economically vulnerable” and are seen to be preoccupied with securing financial stability and job security. 

At least 25.7% of respondents are considered “economy-conscious professionals,” who mostly include middle-income and well-educated voters that make them “more focused on broader economic stability.”

The remaining respondents were categorized as either “Young Progressives,” mainly younger, urban professionals with a strong focus on governance reform and social issues, and “Law-and-Order Rural Supporters,” voters from rural or suburban areas who prioritize security, stability, and maintaining order. Rappler will further dive into these categories in an upcoming story.

Address inflation

Coming in second on the list of top issues is inflation, with 40% of survey respondents tagging rising prices of commodities as a critical matter to be tackled by aspiring senators. These elected officials’ primary responsibilities include creating legislation and conducting inquiries in aid of legislation. 

At least 36% believe that the Senate can help address inflation by controlling prices while 19% see a need for the Senate to help farmers deal with the impact of this issue. This number also reflects the sentiments of 24% of survey respondents who see agriculture as an important issue in the lead-up to the 2025 elections.

Filipinos are still reeling from the economic hardship exacerbated by the global pandemic and other key global concerns. While the Philippines has seen a decline in family poverty rates in recent years, the figure still translates to at least three million poor families by the end of 2023. 

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, a family of five needed at least P13,873 a month to meet their minimum basic food and non-food needs in 2023. In August, the Senate conducted an inquiry into the government’s response to inflation and “soaring food prices.”

End corruption in education

Education is the third most important issue in the lead-up to the elections. Survey results show that at least 36% of respondents see it as a top-of-mind topic that affects their decision on who to vote for in the upcoming senatorial polls. 

A closer look at the responses, however, show that their concerns are also closely related to corruption. According to the results, 26% of them want the Senate to stop corruption in the education sector, and that 21% also desire better pay for teachers and for an improvement of school curriculum. what’s being taught in schools. 

Challenges have long hounded the Philippine education sector throughout administrations and these are reflected in the dismal performance of school-age children in the country. The 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment showed that the Philippines placed 77th out of 81 countries, earning scores that signify low proficiency for young learners in reading, mathematics, and science.

Meanwhile, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) found that six in 10 public high school teachers are handling subjects that they “did not major in college.” This was based on the commission’s analysis of 700,000 teachers in the country’s public school system. 

These are on top of issues of alleged negligence and corruption in the Department of Education (DepEd), including irregularities that publicly surfaced following the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte as education secretary. The Commission on Audit also found that DepEd in 2023 was only able to build 192 – just 3% – of its 6,379 target classrooms while 208 of 7,550 completed repairs. 

Aside from corruption, inflation, and education, survey respondents also identified at least seven other top-of-mind issues, including the following: 

In upcoming stories, Rappler will explore other results from the survey, including what respondents want elected officials to have and cohort analysis. – Rappler.com

Decoded is a Rappler series that explores the challenges and opportunities that come with living in transformative times. It is produced by The Nerve, a data forensics company that enables changemakers to navigate real-world trends and issues through narrative and network investigations. Taking the best of human and machine, we enable partners to unlock powerful insights that shape informed decisions. Composed of a team of data scientists, strategists, award-winning storytellers, and designers, the company is on a mission to deliver data with real-world impact.