The 2024 Philippine Trust Study says Filipinos now demand proof before extending trust to institutions.
The EON Group, which conducted the study alongside the Department of Development Studies of Ateneo de Manila, says that the Philippines is entering a so-called Accountability Revolution, where trust is no longer a given. It is, instead, conditional — earned through transparency, competence, and ethical behavior. People tend to trust leaders and institutions who are known, who are good, and who are consistent.
The results were derived from a survey among 1,800 Filipinos between May and September 2024, as well as from focus group discussions. Respondents were asked how they perceived trust, whom they trusted, and what the factors that drove their trust in institutions were.
The study revealed that a majority (70-80%) of Filipinos preferred consultative leaders over imposing ones, even as the respondents were split on whether leaders must be questioned or simply obeyed.
Respondents were asked about their level of trust in six key sectors – government, business, media, religious institutions, non-government organizations, and the academe. These were based on their perceptions of competence, good intentions, ethical standards, transparency, openness to ideas, and consistency in their actions, rather than the relationships they developed with them.
On the other hand, respondents said that their trust in leaders and institutions will erode if they are two faced, fail to deliver, lack transparency and undermine the experiences of disadvantaged and marginalized groups.
The study pointed out, however, that trust in the leaders and institutions mentioned were not full.
Full or not, it is a stretch to claim we are undergoing something as sweeping as an “Accountability Revolution.” Given the crises that the Philippines has been enduring in recent months, and given the goings on in government being highlighted in congressional hearings, accountability will never be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to the actions of our leaders.
It is important to note that trust can be based on something as flimsy as name recall, a pretty face, or some gimmickry. It is these that give way to perceptions of competence or sincerity.
But cultivating real and full trust among the people takes a long time. People need to see that leaders and institutions are willing to be scrutinized for their actions and decisions. They need to see that perception is matched by actual track record, and that nobody simply rides on their popular last names. Many people too need to be roused from their blind devotion to certain personalities, because their loyalties are leading them to make terrible, misguided decisions.
Demanding proof before trusting a leader or institution? It will serve us well in the next elections and in the years to come. For now, this is a statement that is more aspirational than actual.
