The Social Weather Stations Surveys: An Assessment of Its Effects on the Filipino Voting Public in the Light of Philippine Electoral Politics

Abstract

The Filipino voting public is intelligent, critical and inquisitive - or so they say. In a world and age where media plays a major role in people's lives, politics not an exception, it is difficult to gauge the intensity of its effects on the Filipino voting public. As an entity or vehicle through which something is conveyed, media has the power to transmit any message to the public. It can move the mind to think. It also has the ability to stir emotions. Media can rouse people to action. In politics alone, you cannot imagine the possible implications media can bring about. In the national political scene, one institution claims to hear and publicize the voice of the people. No, it's not one of those traditional politicians or trapos in the local lingo. It is the Social Weather Stations (SWS), which as the election period draws near produce electoral surveys which may or may not reflect the Filipino voting public's sentiments. During election time, the country turns into one big circus. Politicians aspiring for power are like wild animals out of their cages, craving for public attention. In our country, as in many other countries in the world, political campaigns arc treated as horse races, political candidates are treated as personalities, and issues are given short attention. The Social Weather Stations surveys are here for reference. Whether it could raise political awareness, form public opinion, affect political behavior or none of the aforementioned, this research seeks to assess the plight of public polling in the Philippines and look into its possible effects on Filipino voting public. This study focused on the Social Weather Stations Surveys to assess the possible effects of electoral surveys on the Filipino voting public during elections. The author sought to analyze public opinion polling in the Philippines in the light of Philippine electoral politics and the role of media in politics. Ultimately, the goal of the writer to prove or disprove the possibility of surveys directly affecting the Filipino voting public's political awareness, behavior and opinion.