A great majority (80%), or about eight in 10 Filipino adults, said that they still prefer democracy in the Philippines, even if it has many problems, while only 18% disagree and 2% remain undecided, based on a survey conducted by the OCTA Research group.
In the latest Tugon ng Masa Survey (TNM), results showed that support for democracy is strongest in Balance Luzon (84%) and lowest in the Visayas (72%). Disagreement reaches its highest level in the Visayas (26%) and its lowest in Balance Luzon (13%).
According to OCTA, these results highlight a fundamental tension in the country’s democratic life, as Filipinos continue to value democratic principles while questioning whether institutions genuinely uphold them.
At the same time, ongoing preference for democracy, despite widespread dissatisfaction, demonstrates a form of civic maturity. Filipinos are not rejecting democracy; rather, they are calling for its renewal.
The survey also revealed that only four in 10 Filipinos (41%) are satisfied with how democracy works in the country, while one-third (31%) are dissatisfied and one-fourth (26%) remain ambivalent.
Satisfaction with democracy varies across regions, with the highest levels found in Balance Luzon (55%), followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) at 32%, and the lowest satisfaction reported in Mindanao (28%) and the Visayas (25%).
OCTA noted that over the past four years, trust in democracy has fluctuated in relation to perceptions of government performance, corruption, and responsiveness to citizens’ concerns.
Overall, the data indicate a public desire not to abandon democracy but to see it improve through more accountable leadership, stronger institutions, and effective, inclusive governance that delivers on its promises.
The face-to-face survey was conducted from September 25 to 30, with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above.
The survey has a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for the geographic areas covered in the survey have the following margins of error at a 95% confidence level: ±6% for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
