Filipinos’ concern over corruption reaches record high amid protests, probes

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time, ending government corruption has emerged as the second most important issue Filipinos expect the government to address, OCTA Research Group said Monday.

The survey’s results, released on October 20, found that nearly one in three Filipinos ranked corruption among their top three national concerns. This is the highest share recorded since 2021 and a huge uptick from the 13% posted in July. 

OCTA Research Group President Ranjit Rye said that while corruption has consistently ranked among the top 10 national concerns in their quarterly surveys over the past four years, this is the first time it has broken into the top five.

Since September 21, which saw one of the largest recent protests drawing thousands to the streets, smaller demonstrations have continued regularly to keep up pressure on the Marcos administration to hold officials accused of corruption accountable.

Rye said these anti-corruption protests, along with the ongoing flood control investigations, likely fueled the heightened public concern over the misuse of billions in taxpayers’ money.

He also said that the latest figures reinforce earlier findings showing 60% of Filipinos outraged over the corruption exposed in the government’s infrastructure projects. But with this survey, Rye stressed that the sentiment goes beyond frustration.

“They’re not angry mindlessly. They’re expecting something by way of accountability and institutional reform,” he told Philstar.com in an interview.  

OCTA Research Survey on Urgent National Concerns — September 25–30, 2025

Note: Respondents named up to three immediate national issues; table shows the first issue named. Source: OCTA Research, September 25–30, 2025.

Highest concern in Metro Manila

Concern over government corruption was highest in Metro Manila, where 53% of respondents ranked it among their top three issues needing urgent attention. In Balance Luzon, 34% cited corruption as a top concern, followed by 23% in the Visayas and 18% in Mindanao — the lowest among all regions.

The growing concern over graft and corruption also marks a shift in Filipino priorities, surpassing perennial issues like low wages, lack of jobs, and poverty.

Even so, inflation control remains the country’s most urgent concern, cited by nearly half of respondents nationwide. The issue resonated most strongly in Mindanao (53%), followed by Balance Luzon (49%), Metro Manila (48%) and the Visayas (38%).

Fighting corruption ranked alongside access to affordable food among Filipinos’ top concerns. Included in the top five were wage increases (27%) and poverty reduction (23%).

Conducted from September 25 to 30, the OCTA survey polled 1,200 Filipino adults and carries a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.

'Not just a random concern'

The government has been facing intense scrutiny over alleged budget insertions by lawmakers that reportedly fueled a kickback scheme in infrastructure projects. 

Several members of Congress have also been under investigation by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, with some already recommended for formal charges.

With corruption now a top national concern, Rye said Filipinos are now expecting more from the government to deliver concrete results in the coming months.

“It’s not just a random concern. It’s now a top concern,” he said. 

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