Public frustration over corruption remains firmly rooted, with a nationwide survey indicating that nearly all adult Filipinos view it as a pervasive feature of government, even as opinions on the issue show little movement over recent months.
Findings from a Pulse Asia poll conducted in December 2025 reveal that an overwhelming majority of respondents—94 percent of the 1,200 adults surveyed—believe corruption is widespread in government. A small portion of those surveyed were unsure, while only a negligible number rejected the idea outright.
Perceptions were consistent across regions and income groups, with Pulse Asia noting that agreement on the extent of corruption cut across geographic locations and socioeconomic classes. The polling organization reported similar levels of concern regardless of where respondents lived or their economic standing.
Beyond its prevalence, many Filipinos also believe the problem has intensified. Nearly three in four respondents said corruption had increased over the past year, while fewer than one in ten thought it had declined. The rest said conditions had remained largely unchanged.
The survey also asked Filipinos to identify which acts they consider corrupt, regardless of whether they occur in public or private settings. Large majorities pointed to bribery, misuse of public or company funds, and kickbacks tied to contracts or services as clear examples of corruption.
Despite the widespread perception, attitudes toward corruption appear largely stable. Pulse Asia found that public opinion on the issue showed almost no change between September and December 2025, suggesting a deeply settled view rather than a reaction to a single event.
At the same time, the poll reflected a divided outlook on how deeply corruption is embedded in the political system. Forty-one percent of respondents described corruption as a normal part of Philippine politics, while a slightly higher share disagreed. Others said they were undecided.
A social science lecturer attributed this normalization to weak accountability. “Supposedly, dapat merong consequences ‘yung ganung [corrupt] behavior. So ang issue ay nasa implementasyon talaga. Yung behavior ba ay napaparusahan? Yung consequence ba na intended for doing this behavior ay nai-implement? Sadly, hindi, so nakakadagdag yun kung bakit nano-normalize yung corrupt practices,” she said.
She warned that repeated exposure to unpunished wrongdoing can dull public resistance. “Isang consequence ‘yun kapag nakikitang normalized ang isang behavior tulad ng corruption sa paligid natin, tinotolorate. Hindi kumikibo, kunwari hindi nakikita. Pero ang mas malala doon, yung tao naiimpluwensyahan siya na gawin din yung ganung bagay.”
For some Filipinos, the issue carries personal weight. May Pepito, who runs a small eatery, said corruption fuels anxiety about the next generation. “Ang korapsyon talaga ngayon parang normal na lang sa mga tao kasi wala namang solusyon eh… ‘yung mga anak natin, papaano na ito pag lumaki… naaawa lang ako sa anak ko kasi syempre magkakaroon ng anak ‘yan, hindi pa siya nanganganak, may utang na. Sana maayos naman ng ating presidente yan bago siya bumaba,” she said.
Pepito added that hardship would not push her to participate in corrupt practices. “Hindi na bale maghirap kami basta sariling sikap, pawis, pagod. Di na bale maging mayaman basta at least yung karangalan ng tao ay madadala mo yan sa kamatayan,” she said.
Romy Jisto, 60, who has been living in a tent since his home was destroyed by fire a year ago, echoed the sense that corruption has long been part of the political landscape. Still, he expressed hope that change could lead to better living conditions. “Normal lang yan na meron nung bata pa ako hanggang ngayon, wala namang nahuhuli sa ganong bagay… sa lahat ng namumulitiko sana magbago na ang lahat para umayos ang ating ekonomiya… para may matirahan na kami na hindi na kami mababasa.”
Pulse Asia said the survey results carry a margin of error of ±2.8 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
