Filipinos demand accountability amid corruption probe, expressing anger and outrage—survey
A recent survey showed that most Filipinos are outraged over the corruption involving government infrastructure projects in the country.
Data released by the OCTA Research group on Tuesday shows the primary emotional response to the alleged corruption. The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent.
In the survey, conducted between Sept. 25 and 30, 60% of respondents cited anger or outrage as the emotion that best described their reaction. Other responses included fear or anxiety (30%) and sadness or sorrow (9%), while only 1% admitted to feeling hope or optimism amid the ongoing probe.
Additionally, 83% said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s decision to expose corrupt officials was the right thing to do, while 3% disagreed, and 13% were undecided.
Regarding which body should lead the inquiry, 46% of the respondents believe it should be an independent group, such as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure created by the President.
Meanwhile, 23% of respondents felt the Senate should hold the investigation, while 13% selected the House of Representatives. Another 8% believed the Department of Public Works and Highways itself should conduct the probe.
When asked about the desired outcome of the investigations, most Filipinos expressed strong demands for accountability (68%), jail time for those responsible (58%), recovery of lost or misused public funds (58%), efficient implementation of quality flood control projects (41%), and strengthened transparency and monitoring of government infrastructure projects (34%).
Others said faster completion of government infrastructure projects (27%), restoring public trust in the government (24%), and reforming bidding and procurement processes (13%).
The Department of Finance has estimated that the Philippine economy lost up to P118.5 billion from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood control projects. Greenpeace has suggested the number is actually closer to P1.025 trillion.
The controversy involving the government's flood control projects began in July as the rains triggered massive flooding in the metro.
Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure that will specifically investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years. (with reports from Janvic Mateo)