BY RUELLE ALBERT CASTRO

FILIPINOS trust their religious leaders more than politicians and would probably elect them.

The latest Gallup International survey on Filipinos’ perception towards leaders in their country, dubbed "Voice of the People," showed that politicians rank low in the trust spectrum, together with trade unionists, in the survey among 1,000 Filipinos between October and December last year.

Given the choice on who to trust most among a set of pre-chosen individuals, Filipinos opted to put their biggest trust on religious leaders who gained a trust rating of 58 percent.

Priests, nuns, pastors and the like were followed by journalists who gained a trust rating of 43 percent. Teachers were third with 40 percent, while business leaders and the military and police both had a trust rating of 14 percent. Politicians had 11 percent and trade unionists got 7 percent.

Asked on who they would like to give more power, again priests rated 50 percent, followed by journalists with 34 percent. Teachers and lawyers followed with 32 percent and 28 percent, respectively, while politicians got 21 percent. Military and police leaders and business leaders were also at the low end with 18 percent and 17 percent respectively.

Sports and film stars got 7 percent and 4 percent, respectively. Trade unionists got 8 percent vote.

Asked to rate politicians in terms of performance, 65 percent of those surveyed said their political leaders were dishonest; 61 percent believed they were too sensitive to public opinion; 70 percent believed that they responded to pressure from people more powerful than them; 69 percent believed they had too much power and responsibility; and 49 percent believed they behaved unethically.

Thirty-nine percent believed politicians were not capable and competent.

The survey was commissioned by the World Economic Forum which will hold a meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from January 23 to 27.