MANILA, Philippines —  Generating more jobs remains a top concern for voters in the May midterm elections, based on a recent Social Weather Stations survey.

Candidates advocating for more job opportunities will be voted by 92 percent of respondents, the March 15 to 20 survey commissioned by Stratbase group showed.

Strengthening the country’s health care system (91 percent), developing the agriculture sector and ensuring food security (91 percent), equal access to education (90 percent) and ensuring workers’ rights (89 percent) are among voters’ top concerns.

Filipino voters’ top considerations hardly changed from similar pre-electoral surveys in recent months, Stratbase noted.

Reducing poverty (86 percent), controlling inflation (85 percent), addressing the impacts of climate change (82 percent) and defending national security (82 percent) are also key issues for voters.

Achieving energy security (79 percent), fighting illegal drugs (79 percent) and eradicating graft and corruption (71 percent) followed.

“Many Filipinos still struggle with everyday needs. People want jobs because having work means having income to support their families. Health care remains a priority because getting sick is expensive and many still can’t afford proper treatment,” said Stratbase president Dindo Manhit.

“Food security is a top concern because food prices keep going up, and families just want to be sure there’s always something on the table. Education is seen as the key to a better future, especially for the younger generation. And when prices of goods and services rise, it affects everyone. What used to be enough is no longer enough,” he added.

Go, Tulfo keep survey lead

Eighteen senatorial candidates are within the winning margin, based on the latest OCTA Research group pre-election survey.

Sen. Bong Go is leading the March 18 to 24 survey with the support of 64 percent of respondents.

Go is statistically tied with ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who received the support of 61 percent of respondents.

Media personality Ben Tulfo (48 percent), former Senate president Vicente Sotto III (46 percent), Senators Bong Revilla (45 percent) and Lito Lapid (42 percent), former senator Panfilo Lacson (42 percent), Senators Pia Cayetano (41 percent) and Ronald dela Rosa (38 percent), Makati Mayor Abby Binay (37 percent) and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar (40 percent) followed.

Seven others have statistical chances of winning the last slot in the so-called Magic 12: former senator Manny Pacquiao (29 percent), television host Willie Revillame (29 percent), former interior secretary Benhur Abalos (29 percent), former senators Bam Aquino (28 percent) and Francis Pangilinan (27 percent) and Senators Francis Tolentino (27 percent) and Imee Marcos (27 percent).

All candidates of President Marcos’ Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas are within the winning circle.

Of the 18 candidates, only Go, Ben Tulfo, Dela Rosa, Revillame, Aquino and Pangilinan are not part of the President’s slate.

Go and Dela Rosa are running under former president Rodrigo Duterte’s PDP-Laban.

Ben Tulfo and Revillame are independents.

Aquino and Pangilinan are with the opposition Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino and Liberal Party, respectively.

Sen. Marcos, the President’s sister, bolted from Alyansa last month following the arrest and turnover of Duterte to the International Criminal Court.

Affiliated with Nacionalista Party, the senator said she will run as an independent candidate.  — Jose Rodel Clapano