A new nationwide survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group revealed that most Filipinos want the Marcos administration to prioritize lowering food prices while also tackling corruption.
According to the survey conducted from September 24 to 30, 2025, 56% of respondents said reducing the prices of rice and other food products should be the government’s top priority. Coming in second, 31% urged the administration to address corruption — underscoring the public’s demand for both economic relief and good governance.
The poll, which covered 1,500 respondents nationwide with a ±3% margin of error, found that concern over rising food prices cuts across regions, particularly in the Visayas (61%) and Mindanao (61%). More Filipinos in rural areas (57%) than in urban centers (54%) expressed concern over food affordability, reflecting how inflation continues to hurt lower-income households the most.
Meanwhile, corruption ranked second among Filipinos’ top concerns, with the highest share of responses from Metro Manila (45%), followed by Balance Luzon (32%) and the Visayas (31%)—indicating a widespread clamor for transparency and accountability in government spending.
“This survey highlights the urgent reality that Filipinos are still struggling to afford basic food,” said Prof. Victor Andres ‘Dindo’ Manhit, President of the Stratbase Group. “The more they cannot afford essentials like rice, the more they demand concrete reforms against corruption—issues that the President himself has repeatedly raised before the public.”
Manhit stressed that Filipinos are sending a clear message: address inflation and food insecurity while ensuring transparency and accountability in government spending.
“Filipinos demand that their hard-earned taxes be put to good use—allocated to the right projects, funding essential services, and making a real difference in their lives and those of their families,” he added.
Other issues cited by respondents include education (7%) and healthcare (4%), while 3% said they were undecided.
Manhit emphasized that the findings reflect a growing public demand for responsive and ethical leadership.
“This is an opportunity for the administration to recalibrate its priorities,” he said. “Filipinos want policies that directly ease the burden of high living costs while implementing reforms to eliminate corruption.”