Manila: Results of an OCTA Research survey released on Tuesday showed 83 percent of Filipinos support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to expose corruption in government, particularly in the flood control projects. The Tugon ng Masa survey, conducted nationwide from Sept. 25 to 30 with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above, has a ±3 percent margin of error at the 95 percent confidence level.

According to Philippines News Agency, only 3 percent of the respondents disagreed with the President’s move, while 13 percent were undecided. ‘These results indicate a strong reservoir of public goodwill and trust for the President’s decision to confront corruption head-on. The findings suggest that sustained transparency and follow-through on reforms could further strengthen public confidence in government integrity and leadership,’ OCTA Research said.

Almost half or 46 percent of the respondents agree that an independent body, such as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), was most suitable to lead the probe. The Senate ranked second with 23 percent, and the House of Representatives ranked third with 13 percent. “This finding reflects a strong public preference for a credible, impartial, and nonpolitical inquiry into corruption allegations,” said OCTA Research.

It added that “the strong support for an external, integrity-based commission underscores the public’s skepticism toward political institutions and highlights the need for new, transparent mechanisms of accountability that can restore public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.” Based on the survey, the majority or 68 percent wanted to hold corrupt officials and contractors accountable.

Recovery of lost or misused public funds, and imprisonment of those proven guilty both scored 58 percent. At least 41 percent of respondents wanted the assurance of efficient implementation of quality flood control projects, while 34 percent would like to see a strengthened transparency and monitoring of government infrastructure projects. “These findings reveal a clear and uncompromising public mandate: Filipinos demand not only the exposure of wrongdoing but also decisive action, justice, and long-term reform to safeguard the integrity of public institutions and infrastructure programs,” OCTA Research said.