Public tolerance for corruption is hardening, with Filipinos increasingly demanding the arrest and prosecution of officials implicated in the controversial flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), according to the latest nationwide survey commissioned by Stratbase Group and conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).
The survey, conducted from November 24 to 30, 2025, shows that while public awareness of national leaders remains nearly universal, trust in political leadership has softened since mid-2025—an erosion that coincides with mounting revelations of alleged irregularities in flood control projects and the widespread flooding that affected several regions across the country.
These developments triggered sustained public protests, led by the Catholic Church and reinforced by broad coalitions of civic, sectoral, and cause-oriented groups, all calling for accountability and systemic reform in public infrastructure governance.
Stratbase Group Founder and CEO Victor Andres Manhit said the survey results reflect a public that is both highly attentive and increasingly unforgiving of governance failures tied to corruption.
“The data points to a polarized but vigilant public,” Manhit said, noting that trust erosion was most pronounced in the National Capital Region and Mindanao—areas that bore the brunt of flooding and infrastructure-related concerns. Trust levels in Balance Luzon and the Visayas, while relatively steadier, also showed growing caution.
For President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the survey showed “much trust” at 38 percent in November 2025, while “little trust” climbed to 41 percent, underscoring the political cost of unresolved governance issues. Vice President Sara Duterteregistered higher national trust at 56 percent, with notable regional variation and consistently stronger ratings in Mindanao.
Stratbase noted, however, that the survey was conducted before the filing of plunder and other criminal cases involving the Vice President and several others, cases linked to the alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds during her tenure as a cabinet secretary. According to Manhit, this timing is significant, as it indicates public sentiment was already primed to demand accountability even before formal legal action was initiated.
Public anger began to crystallize following President Marcos’ July 28, 2025 State of the Nation Address, when he publicly rebuked erring officials with the remark “Mahiya naman kayo!” Manhit said the statement marked a political turning point that emboldened calls for investigation and elevated corruption in flood control projects from a technical issue to a broader moral and governance question.
“What we are seeing is not mere dissatisfaction but a firm and deliberate demand for accountability,” Manhit said. “Filipinos are increasingly linking corruption to governance failure—and to the real human and economic costs experienced during repeated flooding.”
The convergence of declining trust, high public awareness, and sustained protest activity, Stratbase said, points to a critical juncture for Philippine democratic institutions. How the administration and the justice system respond to corruption allegations—particularly in high-impact sectors such as flood control—will be central to restoring investor confidence, public safety, and trust in the state.
Manhit added that an intensifying propaganda war on social media is now shaping public perception, amplifying political narratives and further heightening public vigilance.
“The demand for accountability and justice is no longer abstract,” he said. “It is now directly tied to public safety, governance credibility, and the country’s long-term institutional strength.”