The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has lauded the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) for establishing its own survey unit ahead of the 2022 national elections.

Launched on June 30, Boses, Opinyon, Siyasat, at Siyensya para sa Pilipinas (BOSES Pilipinas) aims to provide a "more transparent and innovative approach in doing opinion polls and survey research."

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez believes BOSES Pilipinas would "greatly complement" the ongoing efforts towards a more informed citizenry leading up to the 2022 polls.

"One of the major problems identified by the Comelec as being a red flag coming up to the 2022 elections is the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation. Any initiative that will help to educate the public as to the difference between the two, of course, will be very welcome," Jimenez said during the launch.

"The fact that is more transparent with its method, the fact that more people can see behind the curtain... will contribute to the attention that they would get. We have a lot of surveys, but the level of satisfaction with the surveys is affected because the public is doubtful," he added.

Meanwhile, BOSES Pilipinas convenor Dr. Imelda Deinla assured that the survey unit would be "non-partisan and academic-based."

Deinla added that the survey group would "not accept commissioned surveys from politicians."

"We want the Filipinos to trust the results of our surveys and that is why it's important for us to do this through a reliable, transparent, and credible process and the public can take comfort in the fact that our surveys will only be conducted after undergoing a university review," Deinla said in a statement.

"It's important that we ask the right questions, that there is no bias in the way we ask the questions, and that we get the right representation in the population. And most importantly, we conduct our surveys through ethical and respectful conduct."