In a recent survey conducted by Oculum Research and Analytics, Pope Francis emerged as one of the most trusted figures among Filipinos, securing support from 71 percent of the population.
The nationwide survey sampled 3,000 randomly selected individuals aged 18 and above, providing a comprehensive insight into the sentiments of Filipinos towards the Pope and various social issues.
Dr. Joseph Mercado, Chief Statistician at Oculum, attributed Pope Francis’s high approval rating to his reputation for humility, compassion, and progressive views.
“As a prominent religious figure, Pope Francis enjoys a high level of trust, likely due to his global reputation for humility, compassion, and progressive views on various social issues,” Mercado said.
The same survey highlighted that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Academe are the most trusted institutions in the country.
Mercado emphasized that this level of trust reflects the Catholic institution’s significant influence in a predominantly Catholic nation.
“The strong trust shown suggests a high level of respect and confidence in this religious institution, reflecting its influence and credibility in a predominantly Catholic country,” he said.
The Academe also enjoys a strong public trust, according to Mercado. “The minimal distrust suggests a strong belief in the academe’s integrity, reliability, and contribution to society. This could be attributed to the perception of educational institutions as sources of unbiased information and knowledge.”
The survey further captured Filipinos’ views on critical issues, providing insights into concerns important to Catholic leaders and groups:
- Climate Change Action: A remarkable 78 percent of respondents support action against climate change, while only 3 percent oppose it. This demonstrates a growing awareness and concern about environmental issues in the country.
- Divorce: The topic is divisive, with 24 percent supporting divorce but 45 percent opposing it, indicating that traditional values influence public sentiment.
- Mining: Mining remains a contentious issue, with 59 percent of respondents opposing it, compared to only 14 percent in favor.
- Same-Sex Marriage: The issue sees more opposition (51 percent) than support (16 percent), highlighting prevailing conservative societal attitudes.
- SOGIE Bill: On the proposed Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression Bill, public opinion is split, with 26 percent supporting the legislation and 31 percent opposed.
Oculum conducted the first-quarter national survey from February 21 to 29, 2024, in partnership with APCoRE and Areopagus Communications Inc. T
he face-to-face interviews ensured regional representation, with respondents from the National Capital Region, Northern and Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. With a 97 percent confidence level and a ±2% margin of error, the survey provides a reliable perspective on current public opinion in the Philippines.
