Filipinos are not eager to see scammers imprisoned, but they are growing impatient. Manila: Rather than making hasty decisions that could backfire, Filipinos are respecting due process and are not in a rush to see authorities implicated in the flood frauds imprisoned. According to the most recent Pulse Asia survey, which was issued on Monday, January 12, 2026, most people are still optimistic that those responsible for the multibillion-peso flood control scandal will finally face consequences.
According to the survey, which took place between December 12 and 15, 2025, 59% of participants think the people who are accused of corruption will be held accountable and imprisoned. Just 13% of respondents believe the offenders won’t be punished, and 28% expressed uncertainty. But in recent months, optimism has decreased.
Confidence in the legal system is mixed
There is still disagreement on the court system’s capacity to pursue high-level corruption cases: 44% of respondents think it can handle cases like the flood control scam, 24% don’t, and 33% aren’t sure. The Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) was rated as less trustworthy than the Office of the Ombudsman among the participating institutions. The Compared to 18% for the ICI, 28% of respondents indicated they trusted the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman was mistrusted by 23% of respondents, whereas the ICI was mistrusted by 31%.
The media is still a trustworthy actor
With 54% of adults expressing confidence, the media emerged as the most trusted actor in handling the issue across all institutions. 16% of respondents stated they did not trust the media on the matter, and 30% were unsure. However, ratings for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were more negative than positive. Of those surveyed, 22% were unsure, 30% expressed trust, and 48% indicated they distrusted his handling of the flood control dispute. Along with significant levels of mistrust, the Senate and House of Representatives had trust scores of 37% and 31%, respectively.
The survey was carried out approximately one month after Marcos promised to imprison a number of those connected to the affair, including MPs, before Christmas. Only contractor Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya turned herself in to the police on December 9 out of those who were anticipated to be arrested. The controversy started when Marcos claimed in his July State of the Nation Address that 5,500 flood control projects had been finished under his administration. However, this claim was eventually called into question due to ongoing flooding. Only 15 contractors received approximately P100 billion of the P545 billion flood mitigation budget from July 2022 to May 2025, according to subsequent investigations. This led to accusations of conspiracy, overpricing, and ghost projects involving legislators, contractors, and public works officials.
