By Danielle Tiu
MANILA — A Pulse Asia survey conducted in December 2025 found that 94% of Filipino adults perceive government corruption as pervasive. The Ulat ng Bayan poll included participants from all regions and socio-economic levels, with 96% of Metro Manila and Visayas residents expressing concern, alongside 94% in Mindanao and 93% in Balance Luzon.
While 74% felt corruption had increased over the last year, fewer than in the previous survey, opinions on corruption being a normal part of politics varied. Nearly half of Metro Manila and Visayas respondents considered it normal, whereas most Mindanao residents and middle-class adults disagreed.
Survey participants ranked bribery, misuse of public funds, and kickbacks as the most corrupt behaviors, with nepotism, tax evasion, and insider trading seen as less frequent offenses.
The results reflect growing public attention to recent scandals involving misused government infrastructure and flood-control funds, highlighting ongoing challenges in governance, enforcement, and public trust.
