Smart move? Data shows Filipinos’ positive reception of Smartmatic DQ
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A social listening report from Capstone-Intel Corporation revealed that 64.7 percent of Filipinos are receptive to Smartmatic’s disqualification from participating in future elections in the country, with over 94.6 percent of negative mentions across all social and non-social media platforms. Capstone-Intel is a high-impact research company that uses innovative research technologies, tools, and methods to convert data and information into breakthrough insights and actionable intelligence outputs. It is committed to helping its clients solve problems, find solutions, grow markets and constituencies, build reputations, navigate risks, manage crises, and be the country’s leading private research and intelligence agency. Background The technology company Smartmatic was barred by the Commission on Elections from taking part in any future elections in the Philippines despite having supplied the poll body with automated voting equipment for 15 years. The seven-member Comelec panel voted 6-1 to forbid Smartmatic from participating in any public bids or procurements related to Philippine elections. Unless a judge orders otherwise, Comelec Chairman George Garcia says the commission’s decision is instantly executory. Even though Smartmatic is neither under suspension nor on a blacklist, the Comelec emphasized the importance of preserving the nation’s election integrity. “The commission en banc, in pursuing the instant course of action, recognizes its duty to uphold the integrity of our electoral process,” the Comelec said. The electoral oversight board made it clear that the disqualification order was related to the 2016 Smartmatic bribery scandal and not the 2022 presidential race. Methodology Capstone-Intel Corp. examined the online presence of Smartmatic in the country as a topic of discussion over the month, from November 4, 2023, to December 4, 2023, by utilizing all publicly accessible posts from social and non-social media platforms in order to gather the sentiments of the public about the Smartmatic. Facebook Performance Capstone-Intel found that the Smartmatic garnered a 4,489.6 engagement score for its 514 total post count, which yielded over 18,523 total reaction count. When broken down, “Facebook like” accounts for 64.5 percent of the total reactions, with 11,943. Followed by “Facebook haha” with 4,621 reactions (25 percent), “Facebook love” with 1,460 (7.9 percent), “Facebook wow” with 361 (1.9 percent), “Facebook angry” with 100 (0.5 percent), and “Facebook sad” with 38 reactions (0.2 percent). Looking at the data, the majority of “Facebook like” and “Facebook love” reactions can be attributed to several Filipino social media users supporting the idea of probing the Smartmatic along with its disqualification. Online mentions Capstone-Intel likewise revealed that the Smartmatic received 94.6 percent negative mentions, and the remaining 5.4 percent were positive mentions. This means that the article mentions the brand was mostly angled negatively. It is also worth noting that Smartmatic received 26,358,632 social media reach, while its non-social media reach yielded over 6,131,033 non-social media reach. Top posts In terms of top posts, the top post for Smartmatic was a news report from CNN Philippines, featuring a report that Comelec is now undergoing an investigation regarding the president of Smartmatic meeting with one of the candidates during the 2022 elections, which received a 496.3 engagement score. This was followed by another news report from ABS-CBN News, which reported the disqualification of Smartmatic as announced by Comelec. This post yielded a total of 363.7 engagement score. The third most engaging post for Smartmatic was an official video statement from Atty. Larry Gadon regarding the disqualification of Smartmatic, yielding a total engagement score of 229.9. The top posts indicate that even though a number of social media users are receptive to Smartmatic’s disqualification, the engagement scores of the aforementioned top posts are small enough to produce a wide social media presence.
Nationwide survey reveals alarming statistics: 59% of Filipinos lack private medical insurance
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Medical insurance plays a crucial role in ensuring access to affordable and quality healthcare services. It provides financial protection to individuals and families by covering a portion or all their medical expenses. Moreover, it acts as a safety net, providing individuals with the peace of mind that they will be able to receive necessary medical treatment without worrying about the financial implications. In line with this, Capstone-Intel Corporation conducted an extensive analysis of Filipino attitudes towards private medical insurance. To gather accurate data, Capstone-Intel conducted a nationwide survey from August 1 to 10, 2023, involving a total of 1,205 respondents. The conducted study involved asking the respondents regarding their possession of private medical insurance. The findings revealed that 35% of respondents indicated having private medical insurance, while 59% did not, and 6% were uncertain. Furthermore, the data revealed information about how those who possessed private medical insurance obtained it. Specifically, 44% of individuals personally paid for their insurance, 43% obtained it through their employment, 17% were beneficiaries of the head of their household, and 11% were beneficiaries of their children. Additionally, the study sought to understand the reasons behind the lack of medical insurance among respondents. The results indicate that 63% cited the high cost of insurance as the primary factor influencing their decision. Furthermore, 30% mentioned reliance on government health programs as sufficient for their healthcare needs. A subset of 22% cited coverage limitations and exclusions as a deterrent to obtaining insurance, while 15% admitted to a lack of awareness or understanding regarding available medical insurance options. Capstone-Intel, in response to the existing gap in private medical insurance coverage, has put forth a proposal to address this issue. “One effective approach is to create educational campaigns that explain the advantages of private insurance, such as shorter wait times for appointments, access to a wider network of healthcare providers, and comprehensive coverage for a range of medical treatments and procedures. These campaigns can be disseminated through various channels, including social media, television and radio advertisements, and informational materials distributed in healthcare facilities and community centers,” it said. “Additionally, it is important to simplify the process of obtaining private medical insurance for the public. This can be achieved by partnering with insurance companies and healthcare providers to offer user-friendly online platforms where individuals can compare different insurance plans, understand their coverage options, and easily enroll in a plan that best suits their needs. Furthermore, providing financial incentives, such as subsidies or tax credits, can make private insurance more affordable for individuals with lower incomes. By streamlining the enrollment process and making private insurance more accessible, the public can be empowered to take charge of their healthcare and benefit from the advantages of private coverage,” said Capstone-Intel. **** To know more about the data, please click here.
Mixed Reactions: Online Users Appreciate MRT Despite Management Shortcomings
The MRT 3, also known as the Metro Rail Transit Line 3, holds a significant place in the daily commutes of millions of Filipinos. Recognizing the importance of this transportation system, Capstone-Intel Corporation conducted a study to gauge public sentiment towards the MRT. Capstone-Intel is a high-impact research company that uses innovative research technologies, tools, and methods to convert data and information into breakthrough insights and actionable intelligence outputs. It is committed to helping its clients solve problems, find solutions, grow markets and constituencies, build reputations, navigate risks, manage crises, and be the country’s leading private research and intelligence agency. Background Metro Rail Transit Line 3, commonly known as MRT Line 3, is a rapid transit system in Metro Manila, Philippines. It is one of the three railway lines under the country’s Integrated Rail Transit System, along with the Light Rail Transit Line 1 and Line 2. The MRT Line 3 stretches approximately 16.9 kilometers, connecting the northernmost part of Quezon City to the southern city of Pasay. It plays a crucial role in the transportation network of Metro Manila, serving as a vital link for commuters traveling between the north and south districts. The MRT Line 3 features a total of 13 stations, providing convenient access to major commercial, residential, and government areas. Some notable stations along the line include North Avenue, Ayala Avenue, and Taft Avenue. With its modern trains and efficient operations, the MRT Line 3 is capable of accommodating a large number of passengers daily, significantly reducing traffic congestion and travel time in the metro. Its strategic location and extensive coverage make it an essential mode of transportation for both residents and visitors in Metro Manila, contributing to the overall development and growth of the region’s economy. However, it is unfortunate that occasional technical issues have prompted some riders to express their dissatisfaction. The MRT receives various public complaints, with the most frequent ones involving defective elevators/escalators and long queues of passengers. In March, there was a notable incident at one of the MRT stations where a passenger’s laptop was damaged while waiting in line at the x-ray scanner. This issue gained traction and became a trending topic. Methodology The research was conducted between November 28, 2022 and November 28, 2023. Capstone-Intel used its social listening tools to analyze publicly accessible Facebook pages using the keyword “MRT.” There’s no specific demographic or personal information gathered or monitored during this study. Reaction distribution On Facebook, the keyword “MRT” has received a total of 1,851,777 reactions. These reactions consist of 734,411 (39.70%) Likes, 627,614 (33.90%) Haha, 328,667 (17.70%) Love, 118,922 (6.40%) Sad, 23,877 (1.30%) Wow, and 18,384 (1.00%) Angry. Top posts The post with the highest engagement, shared by Donnalyn, received a total of 161,122 reactions. To provide a breakdown, 73,604 (45.70%) of these reaction were categorized as Love, 52,358 (32.50%) Haha reactions, 34,653 (21.50%) Like, 222 (0.10%) Wow, 152 (0.10%) Angry, and 133 (0.10%) Sad reactions. The second post, shared by Stupid (which is currently inaccessible), generated significant interest as well with a total of 282,324 reactions. This post received 278,826 (98.90%) Haha, 2,401 (0.90%) Like, 947 (0.00%) Love, 113 (0.00%) Wow, 28 (0.00%) Sad, and 9 (0.00%) Angry reactions. The third post, shared by GMA Public Affairs, also received a total of 232,476 reactions. It accumulated 129,374 (55.65%) Likes, 71,149 (30.61%) Love, 30,015 (12.91%) Haha, 1,845 (0.79%) Wow, 56 (0.02%) Sad reactions, and 37 (0.01%) Angry reactions. In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives. Facebook, being one of the most popular platforms, allows users to express their reactions to posts through a range of emojis, including the “haha” reaction. While the “haha” reaction is widely used to indicate amusement or laughter, it is important to note that its interpretation may not always be positive. In the context of the discussion on MRT, it is evident from the Reaction Distribution and Top Post analysis that while there is a considerable presence of “haha” reactions, the majority of online users have responded positively.