Six of 10 Filipinos feel unheard by politicians — OCTA Research poll

SIX OF 10 Filipinos think politicians do not listen to their concerns, even as a majority still think the government can address the country’s problems, according to a survey by OCTA Research released on Monday.

About 61% of respondents said elected officials in Congress and local governments do not value their views, while 31% said they feel heard. About 9% were undecided, based on the noncommissioned poll of 1,200 registered voters conducted from Dec. 3 to 11, with a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.

“These findings suggest a perceived disconnect between elected officials and ordinary citizens, particularly at the level of representation, even as trust in the National Government as an institution remains at majority levels,” OCTA said in a statement.

While many Filipinos view government institutions as capable of delivering results, elected officials are judged more critically on responsiveness and attentiveness, the pollster added.

Feelings of being unheard cut across socioeconomic classes. About 61% of respondents from Classes A, B, C and D said their views were not valued by politicians, while 57% of Class E respondents shared the same sentiment.

By region, perceptions of being ignored were highest in the National Capital Region at 66%, followed by Mindanao at 62% and the rest of Luzon at 60%. In the Visayas, 56% of respondents said officials do not listen to them.

Despite these views, 55% of Filipinos said they trust the government to address national issues effectively.

About 20% said they do not, while 25% were undecided, suggesting that confidence in government performance remains fragile.

Trust levels varied across regions. The Visayas posted the highest trust rating at 68%, while the National Capital Region and the rest of Luzon recorded the lowest at 49%.

About 58% of respondents in Mindanao said they trust the government’s ability to address national problems.

Distrust was most pronounced among Class ABC respondents, with 27% saying they do not trust the government’s capacity to handle national issues.

OCTA said this might reflect higher expectations among respondents with greater economic security and access to information.

Among Class D Filipinos, 20% expressed distrust, while 17% from Class E shared the same view.

“The trajectory of trust may depend on perceptions of consistency, transparency, and effectiveness in governance,” OCTA said. “Sustained policy delivery, responsiveness to emerging concerns, and visible improvements in public service provision may help reinforce institutional credibility over time.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio