Ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Stratbase Institute President and CEO Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit said the government must heed the increasingly intertwined demands of the Filipino public – to address corruption, bring down food prices and create more jobs – so that the Marcos administration can finish strong as it heads into the final two years of its term.  

In separate radio interviews with dzMM, dzBB and dzRH, Prof. Manhit discussed the results of Stratbase Group’s most recent commissioned Pulse Asia survey, which found that three in 10 Filipinos identified making food more affordable – particularly staples such as rice, meat and fish – as the national government’s top priority in addressing concerns in their local communities.  

At the same time, demand for job creation and anti-corruption measures strengthened, he said. The findings also mirrored the results of a separate Pulse Asia survey which found that Filipinos want the President to focus primarily on combating corruption – particularly by holding accountable those involved in the flood control projects controversy – followed closely by ensuring affordable basic goods.   

This, Prof. Manhit said, showed that Filipinos are increasingly looking beyond prices and expecting stronger governance, accountability, and economic opportunities. 

Interview with dzMM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=E0GaGVlpsncrmF_F…  

Interview with dzBB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBS1CNoB0M8… 

Interview with dzRH (starts at the 11:00 a.m. mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxsfVX6B1Mk