Majority of Filipinos prefer strong, honest leaders —survey

Majority of Filipinos prefer candidates who have a strong and honest leadership, according to a poll conducted by a university-based opinion and survey research unit.

In a recent Voter Insights on the 2022 National Elections (VINE) survey of Boses, Opinyon, Siyasat, at Siyensya para sa Pilipinas (BOSES Pilipinas), 69% of respondents said they prefer candidates who can provide strong leadership, 55% said it is important to have an honest candidate, while 42% said an aspirant must be intelligent.

“The results of this survey can really help Filipinos in evaluating their candidates. Do their preferred candidates really fit the image they have in mind of a good Filipino leader? And hopefully with this framework, they would seek credible information about the candidates whom they think fit the qualities they aspire for,” BOSES Pilipinas convenor Dr. Imelda Deinla said in a statement.

She urged Filipinos to be critical in choosing their candidates and if their qualifications and experience fit these traits.

BOSES Pilipinas, a survey unit of the Ateneo School of Government,
conducted the poll in cooperation with Rakuten Insight, an independent research firm based in Singapore, from November 29 to December 14, 2021.

The research firm asked 1,500 respondents to choose from a list the top three character traits that are most important for them in voting for a candidate.

Meanwhile, at least 37% of respondents said they want someone who gets things done, while 33% said they want a candidate who is morally upright, and 19% preferred a compassionate leader.

“With all the noise in media and social media platforms – as well as the highly-curated portrayal of the candidates in their campaigns, it is really important to ask the Filipino voters the qualities they are looking for in the candidates,” Deinla said.

“Apart from how they see the candidate’s position on certain issues, the voters also have certain images of the personal qualities and abilities of candidates that also form part of their voting decisions,” she added.

Meanwhile, respondents also identify the top five issues that the current administration should immediately address including fighting graft and corruption, creating more jobs, controlling the spread of COVID-19, social services such as reducing poverty, and increasing the pay of workers.

The official campaign period for Eleksyon 2022 candidates running for national positions officially started on Tuesday, February 8, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The national and local elections will be held on May 9.—Richa Noriega/AOL, GMA News