Internet and Facebook top Filipino voters' sources of political news, PAHAYAG survey finds
A nationwide PAHAYAG poll of registered voters shows online browsing and social media lead, but television and word-of-mouth still play a large part in how Filipinos follow politics.
Browsing the internet is the most common way Filipino registered voters get political news and current events, followed closely by Facebook and television, according to the latest PAHAYAG survey reported by Mindanao Times.
The survey found that 58 percent of respondents usually turn to internet browsing for political news, 53 percent to Facebook and 52 percent to television. Personal networks also matter: 28 percent said they rely on information from friends, acquaintances, co-workers or neighbours, while 24 percent get news from relatives. Newspapers and tabloids, AM and FM radio, cable television and X, formerly Twitter, were also cited.
Social media figures prominently in daily routines. Some 46 percent use social media platforms for daily news updates, and another 50 percent use them for other purposes or for news on a less-than-daily basis. Facebook was the most used platform at 77 percent, followed by YouTube at 69 percent, TikTok at 57 percent and Instagram at 41 percent. Facebook Messenger, at 76 percent, was used far more than other messaging apps covered by the survey.
Television remains a key outlet, with 34 percent watching it for news every day and 55 percent using it without accessing news daily. Streaming platforms showed a similar pattern: 31 percent get news through them daily, while 59 percent use them for other purposes. Daily news consumption on both television and streaming was concentrated in the National Capital Region compared with other regions, the survey said.
Print and radio have smaller daily news audiences than social media and video platforms, though the survey said they remain part of Filipinos' wider media habits. It also noted that the reach of internet browsing, Facebook and television varies across regions, age groups and household income levels.
The survey, designated PQ3-2026, was conducted from October 1 to 4, 2026, among 1,581 registered voters drawn from the market research panel of US-based PureSpectrum. It is described as an independent, non-commissioned nationwide purposive sampling survey with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent. PAHAYAG is a corporate social responsibility project of PUBLiCUS Asia Inc.
Why it matters for Davao
The survey did not release figures specific to Davao, but it notes that media reach varies by region, age and income, which may shape how political information reaches voters outside Metro Manila.
This article was written by the DavaoNews desk with AI assistance, using reporting by Mindanao Times. Facts come from the original report, which we credit and link below. Our editorial policy
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