Most Filipino voters seek Senate candidates addressing issues on public healthcare funding, education, and rising costs of basic goods, according to the latest national survey by non-partisan public opinion research firm WR Numero.
The February 2025 Philippine Public Opinion Monitor asked Filipinos which policy issues they will prioritize when selecting Senate candidates for the May 2025 elections.
The non-commissioned survey showed that 4 in 5 Filipino voters (80%) expressed their support for candidates who will push for the restoration of government subsidies for PhilHealth services, with some 7% saying otherwise.
Candidates aiming to solve the country’s education crisis and the rising costs of basic commodities also garnered a majority of voter support, with 67% and 54%, respectively. The debate on Comprehensive Sexual Education also remains a significant concern, with nearly 1 in 2 Filipinos (48%) voicing their support for candidates advocating for more discussions about the policy.
The February survey also revealed that Filipino voters are less likely to choose Senate bets backing VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment and same-sex marriage.
Senate candidates supporting the removal of the vice president from office through impeachment face low voter support, with 43% in opposition. Nearly half of Filipinos (49%) also expressed their disapproval for candidates advocating for the passage of same-sex marriage into law.
On the other hand, Filipinos are split on their support for Senate bets focusing on the tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Mixed voter support is observed for Senate candidates who want to cooperate with China to ease increasing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, with 40% in favor and 33% opposed. Voters also expressed conflicting support for candidates who intend to prepare the country for war against China by modernizing the national weapons industry, with 35% supporting and 42% opposing.
Similarly, candidates pushing for laws to regulate political dynasties are divided, with 39% in favor and 29% against. Senate candidates promoting the passage of the divorce law also see split support, with 33% of Filipinos voting for them, and 39% saying otherwise. (See Figure 1/Table 1)
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.
