May Mandate: How do Filipinos choose their candidates for the elections?

by Rosemarie Zamora 

This year, on May 12, the Philippines will hold its midterm elections, where Filipino voters, aged 18 years old and above, elect new leaders for national and local positions.

During the midterm elections, Filipinos are expected to vote for 12 senators, 63 partylist representatives, 254 members of the House of Representatives, 149 city mayors, 140 city vice mayors, and other positions. 

This year, over 18,000 elective positions will be available. This follows candidates having successfully filed their candidacies from October 1 to 8, 2024 before the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

In December 2024, the Comelec stated that only 66 senatorial aspirants made it to the final list of senatorial candidates and would be included in the 2025 ballot.

With these candidates vying for a position in the government, how do Filipinos choose their bets? What platform do voters look at to vote for a candidate?

Job creation, agriculture, healthcare top issues for voters

According to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in February 2025, the majority of Filipino voters in the midterm elections are most likely to support candidates advocating for agriculture development, food security and healthcare system improvements.

The survey found that 90 percent of the respondents said they would vote for a candidate who prioritises the development of agriculture and food security. Another 90 percent also said they would support someone who advocates for the “strengthening of the healthcare system.” 

Meanwhile, 89 percent of those surveyed said they would vote for candidates who include “increasing job opportunities” in their platforms.

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Another survey conducted in March also revealed that candidates advocating for more job opportunities will be voted for by 92 percent of the respondents.

Strengthening the country’s healthcare system, developing the agriculture sector and ensuring food security, equal access to education and ensuring workers’ rights remain voters’ top concerns. Other key issues for voters include reducing poverty, controlling inflation, addressing the impacts of climate change, and defending national security.

Less than a month before the midterm elections, candidates are now all out campaigning for themselves to woo voters, as it is in the hands of the Filipino people who they will put in office.

It is important that voters choose candidates who present clear, actionable platforms aimed at improving the lives of all Filipinos, not just a select few.

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