By Samantha Yu
MANILA — A nationwide survey by Pulse Asia reveals that nearly all Filipino adults—94%—consider corruption widespread in government. The December 2025 Ulat ng Bayan survey found similar views across regions and socio-economic groups.
Metro Manila and the Visayas reported the highest concern, with 96% of residents citing corruption. In Mindanao, 94% held the same view, while 93% of Balance Luzon respondents agreed. Furthermore, 74% of adults believe corruption has risen over the past year, down from 85% in September 2025.
Opinions on corruption as a normal political practice were divided: 43% disagreed, 41% agreed, and the rest were uncertain. Middle-class adults and Mindanao residents were among those least likely to accept corruption as standard.
Regarding specific behaviors, bribery topped the list of corrupt acts (74%), followed by misusing funds (66%) and kickbacks (64%). Other acts such as nepotism, tax evasion, insider trading, and nondisclosure of conflicts were less frequently cited.
Recent high-profile scandals involving misuse of infrastructure and disaster funds have intensified scrutiny and fueled calls for stronger anti-corruption measures.
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Headline: Corruption Seen as Widespread by 94% of Filipinos, Study Shows
According to Pulse Asia’s December 2025 survey, 94% of Filipino adults view corruption as widespread in government. This sentiment spans regions and socio-economic classes, with Metro Manila and Visayas residents expressing the highest concern at 96%. Mindanao and Balance Luzon also reported similarly high perceptions of corruption.
Three-quarters of respondents (74%) believe government corruption increased in the past 12 months, though this is lower than September 2025’s 85%. Views diverged on whether corruption is “normal” in politics: 43% disagreed, while 41% agreed.
Respondents identified bribery, misuse of public funds, and kickbacks as the most corrupt acts, while tax evasion, insider trading, nepotism, and failure to disclose conflicts of interest were less commonly mentioned.
The survey coincides with recent controversies over alleged ghost projects, fraudulent contracts, and mismanaged disaster funds, raising public concern over political accountability and governance.
