Manila, Philippines — Due to the public’s continued demand for accountability and transparency regarding the multi-billion peso flood control projects, trust in several government agencies continues to decline, including the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Based on the latest survey released by PAHAYAG Publicus Asia Inc., the credibility of government institutions remains tarnished, with the Senate garnering only a 25% approval and 14% trust rating.
The House posted 23% approval and 13% trust. Distrust toward both bodies remains high, with around one in two voters expressing skepticism—indicating deeply entrenched public doubt.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) registered the lowest ratings, with 20% approval and 13% trust.
Although distrust slightly declined from the previous quarter, it remains elevated at 60%, signaling continued public concern over infrastructure management and project execution.
Fiscal agencies also show subdued confidence. The Department of Finance (DOF) recorded 28% approval and 19% trust, while the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) posted 25% approval and 17% trust. In both cases, about four in ten voters expressed distrust, highlighting concerns over budget allocation and financial stewardship.
Accountability institutions similarly received modest ratings. The Commission on Audit (COA) posted 34% approval and 25% trust, with 30% distrust. The Department of Justice (DOJ) recorded 33% approval and 24% trust, alongside 39% distrust. The Office of the Ombudsman registered 28% approval and 19% trust, with comparable levels of distrust (38%), raising questions about the perceived effectiveness of anti-corruption and enforcement mechanisms.
Overall, the results point to a broad pattern of low trust across institutions involved in legislation, budgeting, implementation, and oversight—underscoring the need for stronger transparency measures and credible accountability efforts to restore public confidence.