Photo credit: Insightspedia, Inc.

In a political landscape as polarized as the Philippines, the idea of alliances between different political formations is a topic that sparks lively debate. A recent survey by the Philipines' first and biggest online survey panel provider, Insightspedia, sheds light on just how open (or closed) Filipinos are to such alliances, and the findings are a mix of surprising and expected outcomes.

Here's what was gathered through Insightpedia's August 2024 Pinasurvey.

When asked, “If political groups were to form alliances, which ones would you support?” almost half of Filipinos (49%) firmly indicated that they would only back a “pure” camp or bloc. In other words, many voters are not keen on mixing and matching candidates from opposing sides. This mindset was especially prominent among supporters of former Vice President Leni Robredo, with a striking 78% expressing support only for those in her camp. But here’s the catch—Robredo’s supporters make up just 14% of the population, which doesn't spell much success for their chances in upcoming elections.

On the flip side, the Pinasurvey results also revealed a notable openness to independence. Around 36%—more than a third of the population—said they would rather support candidates they perceive as independent or unaligned. This suggests a growing fatigue with the highly partisan nature of Philippine politics. People seem to be yearning for a breath of fresh air—leaders who aren't tethered to established camps or rigid political agendas.

Interestingly, the idea of a Pro-Marcos and Pro-Duterte alliance still resonates with a significant chunk of their followers, despite recent tensions between the two camps. This alliance earned about 10% support, reflecting a sense of nostalgia for the so-called "unity" during the last elections.

But it’s the smaller political formations, like the Makabayan bloc, that are the most willing to team up. With only a modest base, 48% of their supporters said they are open to alliances, indicating a pragmatic approach to increasing their influence.

In essence, while there’s a growing appetite for independent voices, political loyalties still run deep in the Philippines.

With elections around the corner, the question remains: will we see more coalition-building, or will the nation remain stuck in its partisan ways? Either way, the Filipino electorate seems to be at a crossroads, torn between loyalty to camps and a desire for new, independent leadership.