Eight in ten Filipinos continue to believe in democracy but only four are satisfied with how it works, according to the 3rd Quarter 2025 Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey by OCTA Research.
The nationwide survey, held from September 25 to 30, 2025, 80 percent found that believed in democracy, 18 percent of adult Filipinos disagreed with the statement, while two percent remained undecided.
However, only four in ten Filipinos or 41 percent of respondents said they are satisfied with how democracy works in the Philippines. About 31 percent expressed dissatisfaction, while 26 percent were ambivalent.
OCTA said the findings reveal a “dual narrative” among Filipinos — strong support for democracy as a principle, but weak satisfaction with its performance and outcomes.
Based on OCTA’s previous studies over the past four years, public trust in democracy remains “resilient but conditional,” depending largely on visible improvements in governance, accountability, and service delivery.
Support for democracy is highest in Balance Luzon at 84 percent, while the lowest support was recorded in the Visayas 72 percent.
By socioeconomic class, preference for democracy is highest among Class D at 81, followed by Class E at 78 percent and Class ABC at 75 percent.
Meanwhile, sisagreement ranges from Class D at 17% to Class ABC at 23 percent , while undecided responses remain minimal at 2 percent or less across all classes.
According to OCTA, the results suggest that Filipinos’ faith in democracy persists but is dependent on performance and leadership accountability.
"The continued preference for democracy despite widespread dissatisfaction shows a form of civic maturity. Filipinos are not rejecting democracy; they are asking for its renewal. This means that democracy in the Philippines remains resilient. It is based not on blind loyalty but on the hope for reform, inclusion, and fairness," OCTA said.
The survey involved 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above and was conducted through face-to-face interviews with ±3 percent margin of error nationwide.
