A recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) reveals a startling 84% of respondents in Mega Manila believe there is significant corruption within the Philippine government. This marks a sharp spike in public perception of corruption, reaching its highest level in a quarter of a century. The survey, which spanned from October 19 to 22, 2025, showcases a stark contrast to historical data dating back to 2000. The 84-percent figure surpasses the previous highest recorded in 25 years, which occurred during the administration of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. This surge in public perception coincides with ongoing congressional and media scrutiny of alleged irregularities in public infrastructure, including controversial flood control projects in Bulacan. The national government is seen as the epicenter of corruption, with 83% of respondents identifying it as the primary level where corruption occurs. This finding is consistent with trends from previous surveys conducted in 2000, 2009, 2016, and 2018. However, the survey also highlights a concerning trend: 77% of respondents believe corruption is more widespread now compared to three years ago. This sentiment is shared across all surveyed provinces, with the National Capital Region (NCR) at 80%, Bulacan at 71%, Cavite at 76%, Laguna at 74%, and Rizal at 74%. Only 11% of respondents believe corruption remains unchanged, while 12% think it was more prevalent three years ago. The survey delves into the perception of who initiates corruption. A staggering 75% of respondents identified government employees who ask for bribes as the primary initiators of corruption. Only 23% attributed corruption to citizens who bribe, and 2% were undecided. The survey, which interviewed 600 adults, also examined the perceived involvement of different levels of government employees in graft. A significant 73% of respondents pointed to Cabinet-level and top management officials as the most involved. Middle-level managers received 15% of the blame, while supervisors were named by only 4% and rank-and-file employees by 8%. This finding is consistent with earlier enterprise surveys, which also placed top-level officials as the most frequently mentioned culprits. The survey's findings underscore the public's deep-seated belief that corruption is pervasive and deeply ingrained within the government's highest echelons.
