NEXT YEAR, Filipinos will have to prepare for the general elections once again. People are getting their IDs ready, fixing up their candidate lineups, and doing as much research as possible to prepare for the coming event.

At least, that’s what I’d like to believe. In reality, we all know how the upcoming elections are going to turn out, as seen in who currently sits in our presidential chair, and who holds the seats in the Senate House. 

No matter, though, it’s important not to lose hope in the competence of the Filipino people – the hope that they’ll know to vote for the most qualified people, not just those who they feel are most charismatic. 

Given everything that’s happened to us Filipinos – everything we’ve had to endure – one can’t help but wonder: Have our voting habits changed? Is there hope for the future yet? 

Honesty and intelligence

While in the past, it may have been enough to be handsome, or to be a well-known celebrity, nowadays, most Gen Zs aren’t falling for these old tricks.

A study conducted in 2022 by BOSES Pilipinas shows that now, Filipinos seek out strong, honest, and intelligent leaders. 

Here, it was found that 69% of voters prefer candidates who provide strong leadership, 55% said it was important for a candidate to be honest, and 42% ranked intelligence as the third most desirable trait.

It was also found that many respondents want someone who gets things done, is morally upright, and is compassionate. They are tired of candidates who are all talk but never fulfill their promises when elected into office; now, they want people who are willing to actually make that change.

This survey had 1, 500 respondents, with 557 of them being 18 to 29 years old. Those who are currently 12 to 27 years old qualify as Gen Zs. 

Meanwhile, a survey released by Insightspedia, Inc., showed that three out of 10 Filipinos now prefer competence over character. A large majority of those who participated in this survey were Gen Zs.

This survey also notes, however, that 23% of Filipino voters are “passive onlookers” who trust the current status quo and are not influenced by gimmicks. What’s more difficult is that these voters are the most loyal ones… even if it may sometimes be to the wrong people.

Insightpedia thus divides voters into the middle-road majority (mostly Gen Zs), economy worriers, passive onlookers, and “solution seekers” who make up 17% of Filipino voters, who are angry, frustrated, and are looking for a leader to solve their problems.

The study notes: “[Solution seekers] are most receptive to influences and are most swayable, perhaps due to their search for solutions to the myriads of issues they observe.”

Economy worriers, on the other hand, focus on the skills and knowledge of the candidate over their character, as they are focused on someone who can deal with problems like crimes, terrorism, and the like.

Of all of these segments, it can be seen that they look not only at who the candidate is, but what they can do for the Philippines. 

As per Insightspedia, the Philippine elections are no longer a popularity contest. 

Same old, same old

It cannot be denied, however, that there are other Filipinos who continue to vote based on the popularity of a candidate instead of their platforms. Take, for example, the likes of Alfred Vargas, Lucy Torres-Gomez and Richard Gomez, Joey Marquez, Vilma Santos-Recto, Herbert Bautista, Tito Sotto,  Joseph Estrada, Robin Padilla, Edu Manzano, Manny Pacquiao,  Isko Moreno… the list is never-ending.

Yes, some celebrities-turned-politicians are able to do some good during their time in office, but there are also people like Former President Joseph Estrada. 

Even though he was found guilty of plunder in 2007, and was initially barred from ever holding public office again, when he ran for president in 2010, he garnered over nine million votes and placed second in the presidential race overall. 

Over time, one can only hope that the trend of holding politicians accountable and focusing on the traits of experience, honesty, and competence is something that’ll become permanent and not just a passing fad. 

Filipinos have, for so long, been known to be the underdogs, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

When there is an opportunity to change that – to finally bring more capable people into the office, ones who actually care about the well-being of the masses – why not take it? Why not do everything you can to take it?