Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Sam BeltranFebruary 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

The Philippines' ranking in Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index has declined, falling to 120th out of 182 countries. The country's score of 32, the lowest since 2012, reflects increased perceptions of public sector corruption. This decline is attributed to ongoing controversies surrounding alleged irregularities in government-funded flood-control projects, which surfaced in July 2024. Investigations revealed billions of pesos lost to substandard or nonexistent projects, sparking anti-corruption protests. The government acknowledges the worsened ranking, attributing it to President Marcos Jnr's focus on the tainted projects, leading to investigations and charges against high-profile individuals.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Berlin 30% Ferdinand Marcos Jnr 60% Transparency International 70% Philippines ×490%

Keywords

corruption perception 90% philippines 80% transparency international 70% corruption perceptions index 70% flood-control projects 60% public-sector corruption 60% investor confidence 50% bribery 40% accountability 40%