Corruption now second top national concern for Filipinos

Corruption has surged to become the second top national concern for Filipinos in a recent OCTA Research survey, marking its first appearance in the top five.

The concern over graft and corruption significantly increased by 18 percentage points, rising from 13% in July to 31% in September, the highest share recorded since 2021.

Controlling the rising prices of basic goods and services remained the top national concern, although it saw a slight decrease from 50% to 48%.

At third is access to affordable food such as rice, vegetables, and meat at 31 percent, followed by improving wages or salaries of workers at 27 percent, and reducing poverty at 23 percent.

Concern for employment dropped significantly from 26% in July to 19% in September, receding from its previous status among the top five national concerns.

The heightened public demand for integrity and accountability in government suggests a shift in focus from purely economic issues to governance matters.