CORRUPTION in government and concerns over the economy are the leading issues the government should prioritize, according to a third-quarter survey by PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc.
The survey, conducted on Oct. 1-4, 2026 among 1,581 registered voters, found that 18% identified corruption as the most important issue President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should address, PUBLiCUS Asia said in a report released on Wednesday. The Philippine economy ranked second at 10%, followed by poverty and inflation at 8% each.
Rising petroleum prices ranked fifth at 6%, while wages accounted for 5% of responses, reflecting concerns over the cost of living and income.
Corruption also topped household concerns, with 18% citing exposure to corrupt practices in local government offices and public agencies. Another 15% said they were worried about being unable to afford basic commodities because of high prices.
Concerns over public spending were also cited in respondents’ views on the proposed 2027 national budget. Some 35% said they were worried that a substantial portion of the budget could be lost to corruption, misuse, or improper spending. About 22% feared the budget could be used to favor certain candidates or the administration in the 2028 elections. Only 13% believed the budget would largely go toward priority sectors such as education, health, and social welfare. Another 12% expected government programs and services to receive funding but said the benefits might not be sufficient or widely felt.
The broader macroeconomic sentiment remains gloomy, with half of registered voters (50%) characterizing the country’s current state as weak, 48% believing it is headed in the wrong direction, and 46% expecting the national economy to worsen moving into the fourth quarter of 2026. Overall national presentiment heading into the final quarter remains overwhelmingly negative at 68%, even as 44% anticipate personal household financial improvements.
In the same report, about 24% said they approved of Mr. Marcos’ overall performance, while 58% disapproved and 18% were neutral or had no basis for an assessment. His overall trust rating stood at 24% against 62% low or no trust.
Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio had an approval rating of 29%, compared with 51% who disapproved and 19% who were neutral or had no basis for a rating, alongside a trust rating of 20% against 53% low trust.
Overall satisfaction with the Marcos Cabinet stood at 50% disapproval. In the Legislature and Judiciary, Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian logged 9% approval and 34% disapproval, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III registered 13% approval and 31% disapproval, and Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo posted 18% approval and 22% disapproval. The political conflict between Marcos-Duterte was widely viewed as harmful, with 68% stating it has weakened the country.
On policy measures, 80% supported executive action reducing or eliminating value-added tax on power systems loss, 77% favored tax exemptions for annual incomes below P350,000, and 61% endorsed the CADENA bill mandating blockchain technology in budget management. Conversely, 69% opposed suspending Senate flood control corruption probes during Ombudsman inquiries, while over 60% rejected charter change proposals to suspend the 2028 national elections (63%) or extend term limits to 2031 (62%).
Respondents also opposed provisions in the US-led Pax Silica artificial intelligence industrial hub in New Clark City regarding its two-year rent-free stay and diplomatic immunity (57%), as well as lower court restraining orders halting Metro Manila’s P85 wage increase (47%).
Institutional ratings were anchored by welfare and technical agencies, led in approval by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (59%), Department of Science and Technology (49%), Commission on Higher Education (46%), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (46%), Department of Social Welfare Development (44%), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (42%).
The Department of Public Works and Highways suffered the highest disapproval rating among national agencies at 53% and low trust at 58%, driven by ongoing flood control corruption probe. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking