Lacson: Corruption issues drag down PBBM’s ratings
Majority of Filipinos view corruption as having an impact on the economy, in particular on rising prices and weaker services, think-tank Stratbase Group said.
Corruption issues also dragged down the ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who first flagged anomalous flood control projects in his State of the Nation Address last year, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said.
A Stratbase-commissioned Pulse Asia survey in December showed at least 38 percent of respondents identified making food prices more affordable as the most urgent action government leaders should take, followed by reducing or eliminating corruption to improve service delivery (31 percent) and creating more jobs and livelihood opportunities (21 percent), making these the highest-ranked concerns across regions and socio-economic classes.
“Filipinos recognize that corruption has direct consequences on their daily lives. When public funds are misused, people feel it through higher prices, weaker public services, and fewer job opportunities,” said Stratbase Group founder and chief executive officer Victor Andres Manhit.
He said based on the survey conducted from December 12 to 15, 2025, Filipinos view corruption as an economic issue rather than a purely moral one.
“The public is not presenting an either-or choice…They expect government leaders to address urgent economic concerns while at the same time ensuring accountability through investigation, arrest, and prosecution of those involved in corruption,” he said.
“The message from the survey is clear. People want concrete economic relief alongside credible action against corruption, because these issues are deeply interconnected in everyday life,” Manhit added.
Lacson, for his part, said the President must remain committed to his anti-corruption stance despite getting lower ratings in recent surveys.
“I hope the President will not waver in his remaining years in office,” he said.
“I thought the momentum was already on his side with his famous ‘Mahiya naman kayo!’ SONA remark. Unfortunately, the Filipino people’s perception has not been kind to him.”
“With a more awakened and angrier citizenry who have never been exposed before to more detailed acts of corruption and plunder of their hard-earned tax money, our national leaders have to brace themselves to address more corruption issues in 2026,” Lacson added.
Malacañang earlier said the President is unfazed by his latest approval and trust ratings, noting that his decision to unmask anomalous flood control projects may be unpopular but is the right thing to do.
“If the reason for the decline in the President’s ratings is his push to investigate those involved in anomalous flood control projects which has generated political noise, the President will not be bothered by the drop in ratings because what he did was a right decision, even if it may not be a popular decision, as many people and politicians will be affected,” Castro said in Filipino.
In Pulse Asia’s December survey, the President logged a 34 percent approval rating and a 32 percent trust rating. His disapproval rating, on the other hand, stood at 48 percent while his distrust rating was at 47 percent.
