COMPARATIVE REPORT ON CORRUPTION IN THE PHILIPPINES: DUTERTE VS. MARCOS ADMINISTRATIONS
I. INTRODUCTION
Corruption remains a significant challenge in the Philippines, affecting governance, economic efficiency, and public trust. This report compares the anti-corruption efforts, scandals, and transparency indicators during the Duterte administration (2016-2022) and the Marcos administration (2022-2025).
II. CORRUPTION PERCEPTION AND TRANSPARENCY INDICATORS
| Year | Duterte Admin (2016-2022) CPI Score¹ | Marcos Admin (2022-2025) CPI Score¹ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 34 | - |
| 2017 | 35 | - |
| 2018 | 36 | - |
| 2019 | 38 | - |
| 2020 | 34 | - |
| 2021 | 35 | - |
| 2022 | 34 | 34 |
| 2023 | - | 35 |
| 2024 | - | 36 |
| 2025* | - | 36 |
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Both administrations recorded low CPI scores, indicating persistent corruption concerns.
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Slight improvements noted in Marcos’ early years, but the overall score remains below global averages.
III. HIGH-PROFILE CORRUPTION CASES AND SCANDALS
| Administration | Notable Cases / Allegations |
|---|---|
| Duterte (2016-2022) | - Allegations involving the 'drug war' funds misuse. - P6.4 billion PhilHealth corruption scandal. - Alleged pork barrel misuse by lawmakers allied to administration. - Concerns over pandemic-related procurement irregularities. |
| Marcos (2022-2025) | - Ongoing investigations into Build Better More project expenditures. - Public scrutiny over infrastructure bidding and procurement processes. - Allegations of nepotism and conflict of interest in appointments. - Corruption probes linked to pandemic response funds. |
| Aspect | Duterte Administration | Marcos Administration |
|---|---|---|
Legisla-tive Actions | Passed Anti-Terrorism Act (controversial due to civil liberties concerns, but aimed at crime and corruption). Strengthened Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC). | Launched “Integrity Development” programs in government agencies. Strengthened Commission on Audit (COA) and Office of the Ombudsman with more resources. Focused on digital transparency initiatives. |
Enforcement | High-profile arrests of corrupt officials. Mixed results due to political influence. Notable efforts in anti-drug campaign overshadowed transparency efforts. | Instituted stricter procurement monitoring systems. Publicized anti-corruption campaigns. Challenges remain in prosecuting politically connected individuals. |
Public Perception | Polarized, with concerns that anti-corruption rhetoric masked selective enforcement. | Public cautious optimism, pending visible outcomes. |
V. TRANSPARENCY AND GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES
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Duterte Era: Promoted “Build, Build, Build” transparency portals but faced criticism over delays and incomplete data.
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Marcos Era: Emphasizes e-governance reforms, with initiatives like online procurement platforms and open data portals to enhance accountability.
VI. RISKS AND CHALLENGES
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Persistent political patronage and influence.
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Weak enforcement capacity against powerful figures.
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Public distrust fueled by inconsistent prosecution.
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Potential misuse of infrastructure and pandemic funds.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS
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Strengthen Independence of Anti-Corruption Bodies: Ensure COA, Ombudsman, and PACC operate free from political interference.
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Enhance Digital Transparency: Fully implement real-time procurement and project monitoring accessible to the public.
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Encourage Whistleblower Protections: Protect and incentivize reporting of corruption.
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Institutionalize Civic Engagement: Include civil society in monitoring public projects and budgets.
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Regular Public Reporting: Mandate periodic, transparent progress reports on anti-corruption efforts.
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Judicial Reform: Accelerate corruption case processing to deliver timely justice.
VIII. CONCLUSION
While both administrations have articulated strong commitments against corruption, the Philippines continues to face systemic challenges. The Duterte administration’s tenure was marred by major scandals and selective enforcement allegations, while the Marcos administration is still early in its mandate but shows incremental improvements in transparency initiatives. Lasting progress will require strengthened institutions, unwavering political will, and active civic participation.
References:
📊 Transparency and Corruption Perception Indices
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Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI): The CPI scores for the Philippines from 2016 to 2024 indicate persistent challenges in combating corruption, with scores ranging between 34 and 38 during this period.
📰 Notable Corruption Cases and Investigations
Duterte Administration (2016–2022):
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PhilHealth Corruption Scandal: In 2020, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) faced allegations of fraudulent claims and fund mismanagement amounting to billions of pesos. Wikipedia
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New Bilibid Prison Drug Trafficking Scandal: High-ranking officials were implicated in facilitating drug operations within the national penitentiary, leading to significant public outcry. Wikipedia
Marcos Administration (2022–Present):
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Vice President Sara Duterte's Impeachment Trial: In 2025, Vice President Sara Duterte faced an impeachment trial over allegations of corruption and misuse of funds. Reuters
🏛️ Anti-Corruption Measures and Institutional Reforms
Duterte Administration:
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Freedom of Information (FOI) Executive Order: Signed in 2016 to promote transparency in the executive branch.
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Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC): Established in 2017 to investigate and prevent corruption within the executive department.
Marcos Administration:
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Abolition of PACC: In 2022, President Marcos dissolved the PACC, integrating its functions into the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs to streamline anti-corruption efforts. Wikipedia
📚 Additional Resources
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Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG): An agency tasked with recovering ill-gotten wealth accumulated during the Marcos regime, continuing its mandate under subsequent administrations. Wikipedia
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