January 9, 2026 — A staggering 94 percent of Filipinos believe corruption in the Philippine government is widespread, according to the latest Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan survey, underscoring deep public frustration and distrust toward state institutions amid ongoing scandals.

The nationwide survey, conducted from December 12 to 15, 2025 among 1,200 adults, revealed that perceptions of corruption cut across all regions and socio-economic classes. In the National Capital Region, 96 percent of respondents said corruption is widespread, while 93 percent in Balance Luzon, 96 percent in the Visayas, and 94 percent in Mindanao shared the same view.

Public Perception of Corruption

Pulse Asia noted that 74 percent of Filipinos believe corruption has increased in the past 12 months, though this figure is slightly lower than the 85 percent recorded in September 2025.

When asked whether corruption is a normal part of Philippine politics, 43 percent disagreed, while 41 percent agreed, reflecting a divided sentiment on whether corruption is systemic or preventable.

Pulse Asia President Ronald Holmes explained that the survey results highlight entrenched public skepticism: “Practically every Filipino adult believes that corruption in government is widespread. This perception is shared across geographic areas and socio-economic classes.”

Context: Recent Scandals and Public Distrust

The survey was released amid controversies surrounding bogus flood control projects, which critics allege were used as conduits for corruption. These revelations have fueled public anger and reinforced perceptions that corruption remains unchecked despite investigations and resignations.

Political analysts say the findings could intensify pressure on the administration to strengthen anti-corruption measures. Civil society groups have also renewed calls for greater transparency in government procurement and spending, particularly in infrastructure projects.

Opposition lawmakers pointed to the survey as evidence of a governance crisis. “This is a wake-up call. The people are telling us that corruption is not only present but rampant. We need independent investigations and stronger accountability mechanisms,” one legislator said.

Implications for Governance

The near-universal perception of corruption poses challenges for the government’s credibility and reform agenda. Analysts warn that unless concrete steps are taken, public trust could erode further, undermining confidence in democratic institutions.

The survey results also come at a time when the government is rolling out its ₱1.015-trillion education budget for 2026, the largest in history. Critics argue that without stronger safeguards, even landmark investments risk being overshadowed by corruption concerns.

When 94 Percent Agree, It’s No Longer Opinion

When 94 percent of Filipinos say corruption in government is widespread, that is no longer noise. That is a verdict.

Public perception at that scale does not come from partisanship or social media hype. It comes from lived experience. Delayed investigations. Selective discipline. Recycled scandals that fade without consequence. Filipinos across regions and income levels see the same pattern, and they are drawing the same conclusion.

This is not about political sides. It is about systemic failure. Even the survey shows division on whether corruption is inevitable, yet near-unity on its presence. That gap matters. It means people have not given up on reform, but they no longer trust institutions to deliver it.

Governments often dismiss perception surveys as sentiment. That is a mistake. Perception reflects credibility. When trust collapses this broadly, legitimacy weakens, no matter how many statements or task forces are announced.

Anti-corruption campaigns cannot survive on rhetoric alone. They require visible accountability, especially in cases involving power and public money.

So the real question is this: when almost the entire nation sees corruption everywhere, what will it take for leaders to finally see the problem as clearly as the people do?