The Political Survey Transparency and Accountability Act (Proposed)

Transparency, integrity, and accountability are the bedrock of a functioning democracy. In the Philippines, pre-election surveys conducted by private polling firms such as Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations (SWS) have significantly influenced public opinion, media narratives, candidate viability, and ultimately, electoral outcomes. For decades, these surveys have operated without standardized oversight, third-party auditing, or public access to raw regional data - despite their substantial impact on the democratic process.

This proposed legislation arises from a series of unanswered public questions directed to the leadership of major survey firms. Among them are concerns regarding consistent inaccuracies in candidate rankings, delayed publication close to election day, lack of transparency in sponsorship disclosures, potential conflicts of interest, and the absence of consent from all named aspirants. The 2025 elections, in particular, revealed stark disparities between survey predictions and actual results - raising urgent doubts about whether these surveys are shaping opinion more than reflecting it.

The open letter, signed by a private citizen, calls attention to troubling patterns: consistently underreported candidates like Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, and Rodante Marcoleta; the mechanical presence of select names in the “Magic 12” despite their eventual defeat; and the highly concentrated sampling methodology - wherein one respondent may statistically represent over 17 barangays. These raise legitimate questions about sample representativeness, data tabulation practices, regional granularity, and the influence of survey sponsors.

To safeguard public trust and prevent the manipulation of electoral perceptions, this proposed measure seeks to institutionalize the regulation of political survey firms. It will require:

• Full transparency on sponsorships and cost disclosures,
• Mandatory regional breakdowns of survey results,
• Auditable tabulation systems with third-party access,
• Clear consent protocols for named candidates,
• A system for validating voter preference alignment post-election.

Echoing the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago’s warning that survey firms act as "kingmakers", this bill aims to reclaim electoral agency from unregulated private influence and restore credibility to democratic decision-making.

This measure is not an attack on freedom of expression but an act of democratic self-defense. It is a citizen’s assertion that the truth must not only be spoken - but proven.