AN OVERWHELMING majority of Filipino adults in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal perceive “a lot” of corruption is taking place in the government, according to a latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
Presented during the Kapihan sa SWS on Thursday, Nov. 13, the Mega Manila survey results titled “Kalakaran? The SWS Surveys on Corruption” showed that the 84 percent of the survey respondent marked the highest record of corruption perception since 2000, covering the administrations of Joseph Estrada at 63-77 percent; Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at 60-67 percent; Benigno Aquino III, 43-56 percent; Rodrigo Duterte,41-45 percent; and Ferdinand Marcos Jr notching the highest at 84 percent.
According to SWS data, public perception of severe corruption has fluctuated across different administrations, but has never reached the levels seen in 2025.
The survey also revealed that a significant majority (77 percent) of the respondents in Mega Manila believe that corruption in the government is more widespread now than it was three years ago.
Examining beliefs about corruption in major areas, the perception was strongest in the National Capital Region where 80 percent of respondents agreed there was massive corruption. Cavite came in second with 76 percent, followed by Laguna and Rizal with identical 74 percent, and Bulacan bringing up the rear with 71 percent.
The SWS survey also indicated that corruption was perceived to be most prevalent within the national government, with 83 percent of respondents identifying it as the primary area of concern. This aligns with trends observed in previous surveys conducted in 2000, 2009, 2016, and 2018.
The face-to-face survey was conducted from Oct. 19 to 22, with 200 respondents each from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
The sampling margin of error is ±4 percent for Mega Manila. Historical data (2000–2018) came from the SWS Survey of Enterprises on Corruption, while earlier rounds were based on national surveys of adults.
