EDITORIAL: Democracy Tried

THE latest OCTA Research survey offers both reassurance and warning about the state of Philippine democracy. The good news: an overwhelming 80 percent of Filipinos still prefer democracy, even with all its flaws.

The sobering reality: fewer than half—only 41 percent—are satisfied with how it actually works.

This duality speaks volumes about the Filipino political temperament. It reflects not apathy, but discernment. Filipinos have not given up on democracy; they are demanding that it work better.

They continue to believe in the democratic ideal—of freedom, equality, and participation—but they also expect democracy to yield results: justice, accountability, and a better quality of life.

For decades, democracy has been the nation’s moral anchor after authoritarian rule. Yet faith in the system cannot thrive on ideals alone. When corruption persists, institutions falter, and basic services fail to reach ordinary citizens, democracy begins to feel hollow.

That so many Filipinos still prefer it despite their frustration shows civic maturity—a belief that reform, not rejection, is the answer.

The survey also reveals sharp regional and class divides. Support for democracy remains high across socioeconomic groups, but satisfaction varies widely—from as low as 3 percent in Northern Mindanao to as high as 84 percent in Calabarzon.

Such disparities underscore a deeper truth: democracy feels real only when it is lived and experienced in tangible ways—through good governance, honest elections, and responsive public service.

That younger Filipinos report higher satisfaction (55 percent) than the oldest generation (31 percent) offers a glimmer of hope. It suggests that the next generation still sees promise in democratic engagement, even as they inherit its imperfections.

OCTA’s conclusion is clear: the public’s trust in democracy is resilient but conditional. To sustain it, the government must move beyond rhetoric. Strengthening institutions, upholding the rule of law, empowering local communities, and ensuring transparency are not abstract goals—they are the lifeblood of a functioning democracy.

Democracy endures in the Philippines not because it is perfect, but because Filipinos refuse to give up on it. They are not nostalgic for strongmen; they are yearning for a stronger system.

The challenge before our leaders is to prove that democracy can deliver—not just freedom, but fairness; not just elections, but equality.

The people have spoken: democracy remains their choice. It is now up to those in power to make it worth that enduring faith.