By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
Majority of Filipinos trusted the results of the May 12, 2025, national and local elections, a survey firm said on Wednesday.
Based on the 2nd Quarter 2025 Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey by OCTA Research conducted from July 12 to 17, 2025, 83% or at least 8 out of 10 Filipinos believed the poll results were credible.
“By contrast, only 4 percent openly distrust the outcome, while 14 percent remain undecided or ambivalent,” the firm added during the presentation of the survey results at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) head office in Manila.
The survey fieldwork used face-to-face interviews with 1,200 male and female probability respondents aged 18 and above. The survey has a +/- 3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.
On the other hand, it noted that nearly two-thirds of adult Filipinos (64%) affirmed that the Comelec delivered free, fair, and credible 2025 polls, while 4% disagreed.
“Confidence in the commission’s performance is broad-based across regions and classes, though about one in three Filipinos expressed neutrality—signaling that while trust is strong, Comelec must continue efforts to engage and reassure voters to solidify its credibility,” the research firm said.
“An overwhelming 86 percent of voters are satisfied with the automated polling system, citing its speed, ease, and efficiency in the 2025 polls. With only 3 percent dissatisfied, Filipinos now view automation as essential to credible elections and strongly support its continued use in the future,” it added.
The Comelec earlier used automated counting machines (ACMs) sourced from MIRU Systems, a South Korean-based service provider, in collaboration with Integrated Computer Systems and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. (ICS-CPSTI) Joint Venture.
The survey results were presented by assistant professor Ranjit Rye and professor Guido David, research fellows of the University of the Philippines Diliman and OCTA Research, before some members of the Comelec en banc headed by Chairperson George Garcia.
The poll body chief welcomed the positive reactions of the people and acknowledged the efforts of their personnel, stakeholders, and the electorate.
“We are happy. We want to acknowledge all the Comelec personnel, our partners, our countrymen… There are shortcomings. That’s where we will focus,” he said in an interview.
“We are very happy. We are overflowing with joy. There are still challenges such as the issue of vote buying, and those who did not vote.”
Asked to react to those who were ambivalent, Garcia said, “Everyone’s help is really needed. Voters’ education, if you conduct it nationwide, is very expensive, and will take a very long time. Voter’s education should be done immediately after the election. I hope everyone will help us.”
Over 55 million registered voters participated in the last May polls.
