GOVERNMENT corruption and the rising cost of living remain the leading concerns of Filipino voters, with a new survey showing that corrupt practices in public offices and the high cost of basic commodities are weighing on households.
The third quarter Pahayag survey conducted by Publicus Asia Inc. from Oct. 1 to 4 found that 18 percent of respondents identified government corruption as the most important issue President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should address, followed by the economy at 10 percent and poverty, and prices and inflation at 8 percent each.
At the household level, corrupt practices in local government offices and public agencies also ranked first, cited by 18 percent of respondents.
The inability to afford basic commodities because of high prices came next at 15 percent, followed by concerns over the slow recovery of the Philippine economy amid the US-Iran conflict at 13 percent.
The findings highlight the public's continuing concerns over governance and economic pressures as the country enters the final quarter of 2026.
The survey also found strong public support for tax relief measures, including reducing or eliminating value-added tax (VAT) charges on system losses, which received 80 percent support.
Tax exemptions for individuals earning less than P350,000 annually followed, with 77 percent backing the proposal. Preventive security measures in schools received 74 percent support.
Meanwhile, 61 percent supported budget transparency through blockchain technology under the proposed Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability Act.
The measure seeks to use blockchain technology to make government budget allocations and transactions more transparent and accessible to the public, helping citizens track how public funds are spent and strengthening accountability in government spending.
Despite the strong support for tax relief, expectations for the national economy have weakened.
The survey found that 46 percent of respondents anticipated an economic downturn in the coming quarter, up from 41 percent in the previous quarter. Those expecting positive economic developments slipped to 28 percent from 29 percent.
At the household level, 44 percent expected their financial situation to improve, down from 46 percent. The proportion anticipating a deterioration increased to 25 percent from 22 percent.
Overall, 68 percent remained pessimistic about the country's outlook, although this was lower than the 72 percent recorded in the previous quarter. Those expressing optimism increased to 32 percent from 28 percent.
On the country's situation, 50 percent held an unfavorable view, down from 53 percent, while 21 percent considered it favorable, unchanged from the previous quarter.
Asked about the country's direction, 48 percent said the Philippines was heading in the wrong direction, compared with 51 percent previously. Those who believed it was moving in the right direction increased to 28 percent from 26 percent.
The survey also found strong opposition to proposals linked to political and governance issues.
Sixty-nine percent opposed suspending the Senate investigation into alleged flood control corruption while the Office of the Ombudsman conducts its own probe.
Another 63 percent opposed suspending the 2028 national elections through Charter change, while 62 percent rejected extending incumbent officials' terms until 2031.
On accountability for alleged irregularities in flood control projects, 38 percent said authorities should expand the partial report into a comprehensive investigation covering all potentially involved individuals, government agencies, contractors and other groups.
Nineteen percent said cases should already be filed based on the partial report's findings, while 14 percent favored continuing the Senate inquiry through the Blue Ribbon Committee.
The survey covered 1,581 registered Filipino voters interviewed from Oct. 1 to 4. Publicus Asia described Pahayag as an independent, non-commissioned quarterly survey using nationwide purposive sampling from the market research panel maintained by PureSpectrum's Singapore office.
