A new non-partisan and academic-based survey research unit promised not to accept commissioned surveys from politicians for the 2022 national elections.

Boses Pilipinas, which was launched on Wednesday, June 30, is a university-based opinion and survey research unit “that aims to provide stronger evidence and information to secure the Filipino voice on significant public policy issues.”

“To ensure our independence, we will not accept commissioned surveys from politicians. That’s what sets Boses Pilipinas apart from other survey outfits,” Boses Pilipinas convenor Dr. Imelda Deinla said in a mix of English and Filipino during a virtual briefing.

“The public can get comfort in the fact that our surveys will be conducted only after undergoing university review and approval of our survey protocols and complying with ethical guidelines,” she added.

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BOSES Pilipinas, a project by the public policy think tank of the Ateneo School of Government, plans to conduct surveys that will help Filipinos make informed choices in the 2022 elections.

These include opinion polls and studies on presidential satisfaction, voting preferences among the youth, disinformation, and vote buying.

“[We] will provide knowledge and credible information… katulad po ng pagpili ng mga susunod na lider ng bansa, kung ano ang mga prayoridad na maaaring gawin ng gobyerno, kung ano ang mga mas mabuting mga polisiya na dapat gawin para sugpuin ang kahirapan at COVID,” Deinla said.

(We will provide information on choosing our next leaders, issues that the government should prioritize, and policies that can help fight the pandemic and poverty.)

The group, however, guaranteed that Boses Pilipinas also looks forward to conducting surveys beyond politics and economics.

“There are critical issues that we need to probe, like how Filipinos see our foreign policy [such as on] the West Philippine Sea, those that affect our individual and collective security,” Deinla said.

The 2022 elections will determine who gets to succeed President Rodrigo Duterte, who is barred by the Constitution from seeking another term. 

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