Category: surveys

Filipinos want a government that has an ear and heart for them: EON survey

Ellen Leave a comment

Pres. Aquino with LP candidates Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo being prayed over at the Tarlac First Baptist Church. (Photo by Joseph Vidal, Malacanang)

Pres. Aquino with LP candidates Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo being prayed over at the Tarlac First Baptist Church. (Photo by Joseph Vidal, Malacanang)


Candidates for the 2016 May elections, especially those running for president and vice-president, should read the findings of the EON’s 2015 Philippine Trust Survey which tells that Filipinos want from their leaders to listen to and feel for them.

The PTI, which EON started in 2011, is not an easy survey to do because unlike other surveys that ask who they would vote for in the next election, trust is an abstract thing. One has to give it to EON for coming up with a formula to measure the public’s insights and opinions.

In the PTI survey, respondents were asked to share their opinions on six key Philippine institutions – the Government, the Business Sector, the Media, Non-Governmental Organizations, the Church, and the Academe.

The nationwide survey interviewed 1,620 Filipinos from July to August 2015. They are referred to in the survey as “General Public.” EON said an additional 420 screened respondents were also added to come up with 600 respondents referred to in the survey as “Informed Public.”

The Informed Public respondents “are Filipinos who are at least college graduates and who access media for news at least thrice a week,” EON said.

In the survey results, the Informed Public is less approving of the institutions than the General Public.

Due to space limitation, I will focus on the findings on the trust level of the General Public.

This year’s findings showed the Church remains to be the most trusted institution in the country (73 %) followed by the Academe (51%).

Grace Poe declares 2016 presidential bid

Grace Poe declares 2016 presidential bid


Despite criticisms about the Church, Roman Catholic or other religious groups, it is still the sturdy anchor in troubled times for many Filipinos. The Church holds together families and communities.

It is not hard to imagine that the charismatic Pope Francis has helped strengthened the faith of many Catholics in the country.

Media is third most trusted institution ((32%), being the source of information. It’s one percent down from last year’s 33%.

The least trusted are Government (12%), business (9%), and NGOs (9%).

Mistrust towards business is understandable. The common impression of the public of businessmen are people whose only concern is the color of money and without compassion.

I imagine that the negative perception of the public on NGOs has been influenced by the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) and Janet Napoles scandal.

Vice President Jojo Binay at fish market.

Vice President Jojo Binay at fish market.


On Government, the PTI said, “For Filipinos, listening to feedback and opinion and genuine concern for people are the two most important qualities of government and business leaders.”

Another attribute that respondents look for in a government leader is “having a strong political will.”

EON said, “Only two out of ten Filipinos agree that government leaders today possess these top three important qualities.”

Is anybody surprised?

Junie del Mundo, CEO and Chairman of EON The Stakeholder Relations Group, said “Our findings on the most valued leadership qualities further underlines the importance of conversation and communication in building trust for public and private institutions.”

The usefulness of election surveys

Ellen Leave a comment

Surveys if conducted by professionals and executed with integrity are gauge of the sentiments of the people.

I have to stress “executed with integrity” because during election season, there are surveys and surveys. One has to check on the background of the survey firms, who commissioned the survey as well as the questions asked.

Grace Poe

Grace Poe

As Sen. Grace Poe said, thanking her supporters for their trust that put her as the frontrunner among presidential aspirants, “Surveys help us check if we’re on the right track.”

But she said, “We derive our inspiration from the needs and aspirations of our country, with or without surveys.”

Poe declared her presidential candidacy for the 2016 elections last Sept. 16. The next day, fellow senator who is also known as her mentor, Chiz Escudero, announced that he is Poe’s running mate.

The Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia released last week their latest surveys. SWS conducted their survey last Sept. 2 to 5 while Pulse Asia started their poll earlier, Aug. 27 up to Sept. 3.

In both SWS and Pulse Asia polls, Poe was the frontrunner followed by Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas in the third place.

The most significant in both surveys is the huge jump of the ratings of Roxas, who used to be a perennial cellar dweller. Although Roxas is still number three, analysts say that the huge increase of his numbers have put him in a “statistical tie” with Poe and Binay, whose numbers have gone down significantly since the investigation of alleged anomalies in the Makati City building projects.

Jejomar Binay

Jejomar Binay

In fact, in one survey of SWS, which asked for three names on “Best leaders to succeed President Aquino in 2016”, Roxas was number two, overtaking Binay for the first time.

The survey was criticized by those knowledgeable on surveys for asking for three names when the position is only for one person.

While surveys are used by candidates to find out their strength and weaknesses and plan their campaign guided by the findings, its most important use is for businessmen-contributors.

Businessmen rely on surveys to decide who to give the most donation (they try to give to all candidates). Reliable sources said San Miguel Corporation’s Ramon Ang has thrown his support for Poe and so are at least four other businessmen, who are known to be major election contributors.

Sen. Alan Cayetano’s lackluster survey ratings, despite his non-stop TV ads for almost a year, is the reason why he has lowered his sight to being running mate of Roxas, who has not yet obtained the imprimatur of President Aquino.

Dr. Segundo Romero, who provides consultancy services on governance, likens surveys to a thermometer, a tool that measures temperature — how hot or cold the place or something is.

Mar Roxas

Mar Roxas

However the more manipulative candidates try to influence survey findings.

Romero said, if that happens, the survey is no longer a thermometer. It becomes a thermostat – an automatic device for regulating temperature (as by controlling the supply of gas or electricity to a heating apparatus).

Candidates employ experienced pollsters in their campaign staff who advise the kind of events to hold close to the dates the survey would be conducted.

The formulation of the question is an important factor in the survey results.
Surveys to be truly reflective of the people’s sentiments have to be free of manipulation.

Or else, naglolokohan lang tayo.

The usefulness of election surveys

Ellen Leave a comment

Surveys if conducted by professionals and executed with integrity are gauge of the sentiments of the people.

I have to stress “executed with integrity” because during election season, there are surveys and surveys. One has to check on the background of the survey firms, who commissioned the survey as well as the questions asked.

Grace Poe

Grace Poe

As Sen. Grace Poe said, thanking her supporters for their trust that put her as the frontrunner among presidential aspirants, “Surveys help us check if we’re on the right track.”

But she said, “We derive our inspiration from the needs and aspirations of our country, with or without surveys.”

Poe declared her presidential candidacy for the 2016 elections last Sept. 16. The next day, fellow senator who is also known as her mentor, Chiz Escudero, announced that he is Poe’s running mate.

The Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia released last week their latest surveys. SWS conducted their survey last Sept. 2 to 5 while Pulse Asia started their poll earlier, Aug. 27 up to Sept. 3.

In both SWS and Pulse Asia polls, Poe was the frontrunner followed by Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas in the third place.

The most significant in both surveys is the huge jump of the ratings of Roxas, who used to be a perennial cellar dweller. Although Roxas is still number three, analysts say that the huge increase of his numbers have put him in a “statistical tie” with Poe and Binay, whose numbers have gone down significantly since the investigation of alleged anomalies in the Makati City building projects.

Jejomar Binay

Jejomar Binay

In fact, in one survey of SWS, which asked for three names on “Best leaders to succeed President Aquino in 2016”, Roxas was number two, overtaking Binay for the first time.

The survey was criticized by those knowledgeable on surveys for asking for three names when the position is only for one person.

While surveys are used by candidates to find out their strength and weaknesses and plan their campaign guided by the findings, its most important use is for businessmen-contributors.

Businessmen rely on surveys to decide who to give the most donation (they try to give to all candidates). Reliable sources said San Miguel Corporation’s Ramon Ang has thrown his support for Poe and so are at least four other businessmen, who are known to be major election contributors.

Sen. Alan Cayetano’s lackluster survey ratings, despite his non-stop TV ads for almost a year, is the reason why he has lowered his sight to being running mate of Roxas, who has not yet obtained the imprimatur of President Aquino.

Dr. Segundo Romero, who provides consultancy services on governance, likens surveys to a thermometer, a tool that measures temperature — how hot or cold the place or something is.

Mar Roxas

Mar Roxas

However the more manipulative candidates try to influence survey findings.

Romero said, if that happens, the survey is no longer a thermometer. It becomes a thermostat – an automatic device for regulating temperature (as by controlling the supply of gas or electricity to a heating apparatus).

Candidates employ experienced pollsters in their campaign staff who advise the kind of events to hold close to the dates the survey would be conducted.

The formulation of the question is an important factor in the survey results.
Surveys to be truly reflective of the people’s sentiments have to be free of manipulation.

Or else, naglolokohan lang tayo.

Grace’s advisers wary of Poe-Roxas scenario

Ellen Leave a comment
Poe-Roxas for 2016: An unlikely scenario

Poe-Roxas for 2016: An unlikely scenario

It’s not only Sen. Grace Poe who surged as shown in the results of Pulse Asia’s survey of the people’s pulse for the 2016 elections conducted two weeks ago.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said he is happy that his score increased by 150 percent! From four percent last March which put him in seventh place, he is now number four with 10 percent. He tied with former President and now Manila mayor Joseph Estrada.

That’s a classic example of looking at the glass half full.

People were more focused with Poe taking the lead in the contest among possible presidential candidates in May 2016 with 30 per cent, a remarkable 16 percentage points increase from Pulse Asia’s March survey pushing Vice President Jejomar Binay, who continues his slide from 29 per cent last March to 22 per cent in the latest surve, to second place.

The results of Pulse Asia’s latest survey will surely increase the bandwagon for Grace Poe- for- president in 2016 making it less likely for her to settle to a vice presidential bid although that position is hers for the asking according to the same Pulse Asia survey.

She is also the top choice of the people for vice president with 41 per cent followed by Sen. Chiz Escudero with 15 per cent.

A Roxas-Poe tandem has become less likely.

How about Poe-Roxas then?

Poe’s advisers said they are wary of that scenario because it could be a trap.

A Poe-Roxas team would mean the popular senator running under a coalition led by the Liberal Party.
Poe’s advisers sees danger especially with Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice joining those who are raising the residency issue against the lady senator.

They pointed out Sec. 77 of the Omnibus Election Code (Batas Pambansa 881) which is about substitution in case of death, disqualification or withdrawal of a candidate.It says:

“If after the last day for the filing of certificates of candidacy, an official candidate of a registered or accredited political party dies, withdraws or is disqualified for any cause, only a person belonging to, and certified by, the same political party may file a certificate of candidacy to replace the candidate who died, withdrew or was disqualified. The substitute candidate nominated by the political party concerned may file his certificate of candidacy for the office affected in accordance with the preceding sections not later than mid-day of the day of the election. If the death, withdrawal or disqualification should occur between the day before the election and mid-day of election day, said certificate may be filed with any board of election inspectors in the political subdivision where he is a candidate, or, in the case of candidates to be voted for by the entire electorate of the country, with the Commission.”

A source raised this scenario: “What if Mar agrees to be Grace’s running mate and someone files a disqualification case against her. Then in the last stretch of the campaign, the Supreme Court says Grace is not qualified? Mar becomes the presidential candidate.”

The best option for Poe is to run as independent. She does not need the endorsement of President Aquino.
An Aquino endorsement for Poe could even be a minus because of the taint of the Mamasapano tragedy, the Yolanda debacle, the incompetence as symbolized by the MRT and many more.

It’s Roxas who needs the endorsement of Aquino. He might get it with his 150 percent increase in the surveys ratings.

Grace’s advisers wary of Poe-Roxas scenario

Ellen Leave a comment
Poe-Roxas for 2016: An unlikely scenario

Poe-Roxas for 2016: An unlikely scenario

It’s not only Sen. Grace Poe who surged as shown in the results of Pulse Asia’s survey of the people’s pulse for the 2016 elections conducted two weeks ago.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said he is happy that his score increased by 150 percent! From four percent last March which put him in seventh place, he is now number four with 10 percent. He tied with former President and now Manila mayor Joseph Estrada.

That’s a classic example of looking at the glass half full.

People were more focused with Poe taking the lead in the contest among possible presidential candidates in May 2016 with 30 per cent, a remarkable 16 percentage points increase from Pulse Asia’s March survey pushing Vice President Jejomar Binay, who continues his slide from 29 per cent last March to 22 per cent in the latest surve, to second place.

The results of Pulse Asia’s latest survey will surely increase the bandwagon for Grace Poe- for- president in 2016 making it less likely for her to settle to a vice presidential bid although that position is hers for the asking according to the same Pulse Asia survey.

She is also the top choice of the people for vice president with 41 per cent followed by Sen. Chiz Escudero with 15 per cent.

A Roxas-Poe tandem has become less likely.

How about Poe-Roxas then?

Poe’s advisers said they are wary of that scenario because it could be a trap.

A Poe-Roxas team would mean the popular senator running under a coalition led by the Liberal Party.
Poe’s advisers sees danger especially with Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice joining those who are raising the residency issue against the lady senator.

They pointed out Sec. 77 of the Omnibus Election Code (Batas Pambansa 881) which is about substitution in case of death, disqualification or withdrawal of a candidate.It says:

“If after the last day for the filing of certificates of candidacy, an official candidate of a registered or accredited political party dies, withdraws or is disqualified for any cause, only a person belonging to, and certified by, the same political party may file a certificate of candidacy to replace the candidate who died, withdrew or was disqualified. The substitute candidate nominated by the political party concerned may file his certificate of candidacy for the office affected in accordance with the preceding sections not later than mid-day of the day of the election. If the death, withdrawal or disqualification should occur between the day before the election and mid-day of election day, said certificate may be filed with any board of election inspectors in the political subdivision where he is a candidate, or, in the case of candidates to be voted for by the entire electorate of the country, with the Commission.”

A source raised this scenario: “What if Mar agrees to be Grace’s running mate and someone files a disqualification case against her. Then in the last stretch of the campaign, the Supreme Court says Grace is not qualified? Mar becomes the presidential candidate.”

The best option for Poe is to run as independent. She does not need the endorsement of President Aquino.
An Aquino endorsement for Poe could even be a minus because of the taint of the Mamasapano tragedy, the Yolanda debacle, the incompetence as symbolized by the MRT and many more.

It’s Roxas who needs the endorsement of Aquino. He might get it with his 150 percent increase in the surveys ratings.