IN PHILIPPINE elections, voters often hesitate to support promising candidates they believe have little chance of winning—a phenomenon that preserves the dominance of traditional power structures and holds back the potential for meaningful change.
As election season nears, this ‘Sayang’ mentality continues to prevail and underscores the need to understand its causal factors, which can be an essential step to avoiding political disenfranchisement of the masses.
Entrenched systemic roots
The ‘Sayang’ mentality is closely linked to the dominance of political dynasties, which sustain their administrative power through deep patronage ties.
Ateneo de Manila University Political Science lecturer Beatriz C. Beato, MA believes that politicians’ “deeply integrated” machinery and resources play a crucial role in maintaining their presence in the local community. This “sustained presence” of dominating power structures beats a candidate of quality credentials due to familiarity.
As a country with a first-past-the-post system, elections often narrow down to just two or three viable contenders, contributing to the idea that voting for a less popular candidate is a wasted vote.
Moreover, issues such as lacking campaign funding, discourage opposing and alternative party lists from running. Money determines the capacity to run—and to an extent, the likelihood to win. This disadvantage with resources may also cause these party lists to view their efforts as a waste in the long run.
Subsequently, Beato notes that the ‘Sayang’ mentality leads to the disenfranchisement of people to actively participate as they believe that no matter the results, their struggles and circumstances will remain unresolved.
Power of winnability
With these factors in mind, their impact becomes clear in the way Filipinos approach elections. Independent and reformist candidates often struggle to gain traction—not necessarily because of weak platforms.
Angelito T. Banayo, a veteran political and campaign strategist, explains that there is a psychological tendency among Filipinos to identify with winning candidates. According to Banayo, voters in the gray area of surveys remain open to changing their preferences.
“They can still be swayed by what we call the bandwagon effect, na ‘ah sayang lang boto ko diyan, dito na ako sa panalo’ (my vote would just go to waste on that candidate, I’ll go with the winner instead),” he says.
This dynamic creates a cycle in which public perception of a candidate’s viability matters just as much, if not more, than their actual platforms. Banayo notes that elections often depend on numbers, and candidates need high public awareness to stay competitive—a harsh reality of the Filipino political landscape.
Beyond shaping voter preferences, this mindset narrows the political arena. Reform-driven candidates are sidelined in favor of those who fit the mold of an expected winner. Consequently, this perception curbs competition and discourages alternative leadership, making elections a predictable contest of popularity rather than governance.
Breaking the cycle
Breaking free from the ‘Sayang’ mentality requires a shift in both individual mindsets and collective action. Voter education then plays a crucial role in challenging the notion that a vote is only “useful” if cast for a frontrunner. Civic organizations, independent media, and academic institutions have long worked to combat misinformation and push for more issue-based elections, as seen in initiatives like #FactsFirstPH.
These initiatives help shift the focus from electability to credibility. “It’s the value of critical thinking that’s a skill that needs to be encouraged. You cannot teach people how to think but you can encourage them to ask questions,” Beato explains.
By equipping voters with the skill to scrutinize candidates beyond surveys and name recall, these efforts lead to a more informed electorate without disregarding their awareness of the risks involved in electing ineffective leaders. Beyond awareness, grassroots movements have the power to translate political education into action, with communities and volunteers mobilizing reformist candidates despite lacking machinery.
Social media, in particular, has provided an alternative platform for lesser-known candidates to bypass traditional networks and reach voters directly. However, the way elections are covered by the media still plays a crucial role in shaping voter priorities. As such, Beato says that issues-based journalism can help reframe elections as more than just a popularity contest.
Moving beyond the ‘Sayang’ mentality allows for an inclusive and representative democracy. With the acknowledgement of such a mindset, efforts to strengthen voter education, promote issue-based discourse, and encourage critical engagement can help voters navigate elections more consciously.
By prioritizing leadership grounded in competence and integrity, a political landscape that truly reflects the will and needs of Filipinos can be collectively shaped.
