Sixty-seven percent of FIlipinos believe that the outcome of the May 2022 elections is more credible than the May 2016 polls, a Pulse Asia survey, released on Wednesday, July 20, revealed.

In the Ulat ng Bayan survey conducted from June 24 to 27 with 1,200 respondents, Pulse Asia said that the “public assessment of the conduct of the May 2022 elections compared to the May 2016 elections is generally positive.”

“When compared to the results of the May 2016 elections, 67 percent of Filipino adults are of the view that the outcome of the May 2022 elections is more credible. This is the prevailing sentiment in all geographic areas and socio-economic classes—59 percent to 78 percent and 62 percent to 68 percent, respectively,” Pulse Asia pointed out.

Most Filipinos across areas and classes—83 percent to 90 percent and 84 percent to 94 percent, respectively—share this assessment.

4 in 10 Filipinos see less cheating in May 2022 elections than May 2016 polls

Moreover, Pulse Asia found that 39 percent of Filipinos believe that there was less cheating during the May 2022 elections than the May 2016 polls.

However, 33 percent are “ambivalent” on the matter.

“In Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, and Classes ABC and D, around the same percentages either say there was less cheating in May 2022 (38 percent to 44 percent) or express indecision on the matter (34 percent to 42 percent),” Pulse Asia said.

“Meanwhile, the plurality opinion in Mindanao and Class E is that there was less cheating in May 2022 than in May 2016 (47 percent and 40 percent, respectively). Visayans, in contrast, are split, with 31 percent of the view that there was little cheating during both the May 2016 and May 2022 elections, 29 percent saying there was less cheating in May 2022, and 25 percent expressing indecision on the matter,” it added.

Filipinos split on whether May 2022 elections heightened divisions within PH society

While 41 percent of Filipinos surveyed are of the view that the recent elections heightened cleavages in Philippine society, Pulse Asia said that 36 percent are undecided on the matter.

The rest of Filipino adults, about 24 percent, are in disagreement with this opinion.

“A bare majority of those belonging to Class ABC (51 percent) believe the May 2022 elections heightened social divisions in the country while practically half of Mindanawons (49 percent) have a contrary opinion on the matter,” Pulse Asia said.

“Indecision is expressed by 48 percent of those in Class E. In the other areas and Class D, almost the same percentages either agree that the May 2022 polls amplified social divisions (38 percent to 48 percent) or are ambivalent on the matter (34 percent to 49 percent),” it added.