A new nationwide survey reveals that a vast majority of Filipinos believe corruption has worsened since the declaration of Martial Law over five decades ago, with growing calls for accountability from the country’s top leaders.

According to the PAHAYAG 2025 Third Quarter Survey, 81% of respondents say corruption has intensified in the 53 years since Martial Law was declared, highlighting a deep-rooted public disillusionment with the government’s anti-corruption efforts. The sentiment cuts across all regions, suggesting a nationwide perception that corruption remains a systemic issue.

Despite widespread frustration, 77% of registered voters did not participate in the recent anti-corruption rally held on September 21, 2025. Analysts suggest this may reflect a sense of resignation or skepticism about the effectiveness of public demonstrations in driving reform.

The survey also sheds light on public opinion regarding the controversial ₱1 trillion in budget realignments between 2023 and 2025. Nearly half of respondents (49%) hold both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the House of Representatives accountable, while 24% blame the President alone and 11% point to Congress. These figures indicate that nearly nine in ten Filipinos see corruption and fiscal mismanagement as a shared responsibility between the executive and legislative branches.

In terms of justice and restitution, 41% of Filipinos believe that stolen public funds should be returned before legal charges are filed. Meanwhile, 26% agree that President Marcos should take a leave of absence if investigated by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), signaling a strong public appetite for meaningful accountability measures.

The PAHAYAG Q3-2025 survey was conducted from September 27 to 30, 2025, with 1,500 registered Filipino voters participating. The study was independently administered using a purposive sampling method via PureSpectrum, a global panel marketplace.

PAHAYAG is a corporate social responsibility initiative of PUBLiCUS Asia Inc., with Vox Opinion Research serving as its research arm since 2007.

For more details, visit [www.publicusasia.com/pahayag](https://www.publicusasia.com/pahayag).

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