'Palitan ang tanong': Lagman tells survey firms to ditch popularity polls, educate voters instead 

Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman (Facebook)

Liberal Party (LP) President Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman is asking independent survey outfits to change up their poll questions for the sake of helping educate Filipino voters. 

Lagman made this appeal Saturday, July 20 even as popularity polls for the upcoming 2025 mid-term elections are becoming more and more ubiquitous. 

"The usual question of 'If elections are held today, whom are you going to vote for?' is a mere poll on popularity without emphasizing the fitness of a candidate for public office and his real ability and trustworthiness," said the self-styled independent minority congressman. 

He said survey firms ought to "contribute to voters’ education by asking the more relevant questions on the choice of aspirants for public office". 

So what should survey firms ask the respondents? Lagman said, "The more pertinent is to gauge the voters’ assessment of the competence, qualification and integrity of aspirants, not their popularity or name recall." 

"Together with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), survey firms must be able to educate voters on choosing the right candidates," said the administration critic. 

"A comic can entertain a crowd, but he cannot serve well as a public functionary," the Bicolano said as a parting shot.