MANILA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ninety-seven percent of Filipinos believe that corruption in government is "widespread," according to a nationwide survey released Wednesday by an independent polling firm.
"Overall, Filipinos have negative views about corruption in the country, with practically all of them describing corruption in government as being widespread (97 percent) and most of them observing an increase in corruption in government over the previous 12 months (85 percent) and seeing corruption as a normal part of Philippine politics (59 percent)," said the survey of 1,200 adults conducted in September by pollster Pulse Asia Research Inc.
It said that Filipinos agree with the view that corruption is widespread in government, being essentially universal, not only at the national level but also in each geographic and socio-economic subgrouping.
"For sizable to big majorities of Filipino adults, accepting or giving bribes (75 percent), misuse of public funds or company resources (67 percent), and offering or receiving kickbacks (64 percent) are corrupt acts," said the survey.
Nearly half of the adult population identifies insider trading or financial fraud as an act of corruption, followed by a set of responses that includes evading taxes or regulatory requirements as well as nepotism or favoritism in hiring or promotion, the survey added.
The survey was conducted while the Senate and the House of Representatives were investigating anomalous infrastructure projects across the country, particularly flood control projects.
In September, massive protests were held in Manila and other major cities across the Philippines, denouncing widespread corruption involving high-ranking officials overseeing the government's flood control and related projects.■
