Inflation remains Filipinos' top national concern at 59% in Pulse Asia's Q1 2026 survey, unchanged from late 2025, followed by fighting corruption (47%, down slightly from 48%) and raising workers' pay (36%, from 39%). The February 27-March 2 poll shows minimal shifts amid global oil price pressures from US-Israel strikes on Iran.
The survey polled 1,200 respondents nationwide (±2.8% margin of error) and confirms ongoing stability in priorities, with little change from the December 2025 results.
Key Results (top concerns, % naming in top 3):
- Controlling inflation: 59% (unchanged)
- Fighting graft/corruption: 47% (vs. 48%)
- Increasing workers' pay: 36% (vs. 39%)
- Reducing poverty: 21% (vs. 22%)
- Job creation: 21% (vs. 19%)
- Combating illegal drugs: 21% (vs. 19%)
- Fighting criminality: 17% (vs. 19%)
- Aiding farmers: 14% (vs. 9%)
- Equal law enforcement: 11% (vs. 13%)
- Addressing hunger: 10% (vs. 8%)
Issues under 10% (similar to prior survey) include environmental protection, peace promotion, calamity response, tax cuts, small business support, OFW protection, territorial integrity, and anti-terrorism preparation.
Results were released March 16, 2026, in Manila, prior to further oil price hikes.
