The Philippine economy and jobs are the top two election issues among voters, according to the latest national survey of PUBLiCUS Asia Inc.

The PAHAYAG: National Election Tracker Survey conducted between Feb. 11-16 showed that 65 percent of the 1,500 registered Filipino voter respondents said the Philippine economy was one of their top three issues of concern in the upcoming May 2022 elections.

More than one-third of respondents (36 percent) identified the economy as their number one concern.

Meanwhile, 56 percent of respondents identified jobs as one of their top three concerns. Education (34 percent), poverty (24.4 percent), and corruption (23.8 percent) were the other top-of-mind issues among respondents.

“Economic and livelihood issues appear to be at the forefront of voters’ minds going into the May 2022 election. The data suggest that voters are interested in learning more about the economic platforms of candidates vying for national positions,” Aureli Sinsuat, executive director of PUBLiCUS Asia Inc., said.

Sinsuat noted that the electorate’s concerns about the economy and employment are likely a consequence of the economic slowdown experienced by the Philippines when Covid-19 hit the archipelago in early 2020.

“As the Covid-19 situation continues to improve in the Philippines, voters want to know how aspiring national leaders plan to get the economy back on track in the post-pandemic era,” Sinsuat said.

Sinsuat also urged candidates vying for national office to release detailed information on their plans to stimulate economic recovery and job creation over the next six years.

“Voters have the right to make informed decisions on Election Day based on the economic platforms championed by candidates for higher office. Candidates for higher office should be ready and willing to answer tough questions over the next couple of months about their proposed economic policies,” he said.

The PAHAYAG National Election Tracker Survey is an independent non-commissioned national survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. The members of the purposive survey panel were randomly selected from the online research panel marketplace of 200,000 Filipinos maintained by the Singapore office of US-based PURESPECTRUM, based on parameters set by official Comelec statistics on registered voters.

Additional survey results on voter preference for President, Vice President, and Senator will be made available to the public during the premiere of the PAHAYAG Election Report on Monday at the official YouTube page of PUBLiCUS Asia. (PR)

(Photo credits to: Business World Online)