Lowering the price of food and other basic goods and raising workers’ wages are the top issues Filipinos want the government to address, according to the August 2025 nationwide survey of independent public opinion firm WR Numero.
The latest Philippine Public Opinion Monitor asked Filipinos to choose up to three policy issues the government should prioritize from a provided list. The survey was conducted shortly after the State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Filipinos cited lowering the cost of food and other essentials (42%) and raising workers’ wages (39%) as the top concerns. About three in 10 pointed to tackling illegal drugs and crime (29%) and addressing poverty (29%). Nearly the same share said creating more jobs and livelihood opportunities (28%) should be a major focus.
Roughly one in four Filipinos cited fighting government corruption (23%), while others stressed the education crisis (16%), reducing taxes and fees (16%), and restoring PhilHealth subsidies as key issues.
A smaller share emphasized strengthening the courts and justice system (8%). Other priorities included resisting China’s interference in the West Philippine Sea (7%), expanding comprehensive sex education (6%), and ensuring a fair impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte (6%).
Some Filipinos also supported strengthening the military for national defense (5%), regulating political dynasties (3%), legalizing same-sex marriage (2%), and passing a divorce law (2%).
Policy priorities, by factional partisanship
Filipinos across political factions agree that lowering food prices and raising wages should be the government’s top priorities, but they differ on what ranks third. Marcos supporters cite poverty reduction, Duterte supporters point to illegal drugs and crime, opposition partisans emphasize corruption, and independents prioritize job creation.
Among supporters of the Marcos family and their allies, the third priority is fighting poverty and providing aid to the poor (32%), followed by creating jobs and livelihood opportunities (26%) and tackling illegal drugs and crime (23%).
For supporters of the Duterte family and their allies, combating illegal drugs and crime ranks higher at 37%, followed by poverty reduction (27%) and job creation (24%).
Opposition supporters aligned with figures such as Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo place a greater emphasis on fighting corruption (30%), followed by reducing poverty (29%) and creating jobs (27%).
Filipinos who identified as independent cite job creation as their third priority (33%), along with tackling illegal drugs and crime (31%) and addressing poverty (28%).
The nationwide survey has a margin of error of ±2% at a 95% confidence level. At the subnational level, the margin of error is ±7% for the National Capital Region, ±3% for the rest of Luzon, ±6% for the Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao, all at the same 95% confidence level.
The complete public brief of the WR Numero Philippine Public Opinion Monitor Volume 2025, Issue 4 is now available for download at tinyurl.com/wrn-ppom. The survey includes Filipinos’ latest perception on the performance assessment of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, the president’s State of the National Address, the latest developments on the vice president’s impeachment, and the policy priorities of Filipinos, among others.
