Voter priorities, erosion of trust
An SWS survey highlighted eradicating graft as the top voter concern for 2025 elections, amplified by livestreamed hearings revealing multibillion-peso irregularities.
Marcos Jr.’s trust rating hit a record low post-probe revelations, with 90% suspecting collusion among officials, contractors, and lawmakers in flood fund misuse. Vice President Sara Duterte’s approval ratings also tanked.
Newfound visibility or deepening distrust?
This newfound visibility sometimes leads to skepticism or distrust when the public perceives livestreams as curated or incomplete, or when transparency alone does not translate into meaningful institutional reform.
Among Filipino voters, livestreaming improves factual awareness and encourages active participation, but it does not automatically restore trust in institutions if underlying governance issues remain unaddressed.
The effectiveness of livestreaming depends on broader systemic changes.
No amount of digital transparency can take the place of genuine accountability.
This dynamic is particularly relevant amid high-profile corruption investigations, where viewers scrutinise government responses in real time, shaping public opinion on institutional effectiveness and integrity.
The younger generation, such as Gen Z voters, particularly values authenticity and openness demonstrated through such livestreams, making them more engaged and critical consumers of social content.
However, the risk of misinformation or manipulated narratives within livestreams is a concern that can affect trust negatively if not properly managed.
But it’s not enough to expose wrongdoing
Exposing scams is one thing; ensuring they won’t happen again is quite another.
The former is theatre; the latter needs real-life action. The former needs smartphones; the latter needs reforms.
The former is a tool; the latter is the product. The former provides the premise; the latter is the logical conclusion.