The Philippines' ranking on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has dropped in 2025, amid scandals involving flood control projects. The country ranks 120th out of 182 countries, down six places from last year, reflecting increasing perceived corruption in the public sector.
According to the report, the Philippines scored 32, a decrease of only one from 2024 and the lowest since the current scoring system was implemented in 2012. In Southeast Asia, only Cambodia and Myanmar scored higher than the Philippines, indicating serious challenges in transparency and governance.
The drop in score is related to major government scandals, including allegations of multi-billion peso corruption in infrastructure projects. Although several cases have already been filed, more are expected to be resolved in the coming months. According to Malacañang, the drop in score is expected due to the exposure of anomalies in flood control projects.
In response to the worsening situation, the DPWH launched the Integrity Chain using blockchain technology to improve transparency and auditability of projects. According to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, this aims to prevent the repetition of past corruption and ensure accountability to the government.
Despite the challenges, Transparency International emphasized that corruption need not be inevitable. There is a clear blueprint for promoting accountability and integrity, from the democratic process to a free civil society, to ensure a better future for the people.
