MANILA, Philippines — A survey commissioned by the think tank Stratbase indicated that Filipinos want government leaders to make food prices affordable, reduce corruption, and create more jobs in their communities. Stratbase, in a statement Friday, said it commissioned Pulse Asia for this survey, which was conducted from Dec. 12 to 15, 2025. "The nationwide survey shows that 38 percent of respondents identified making food prices more affordable as the most urgent action government leaders should take," it said. This was followed by reducing or eliminating corruption to improve service delivery (31 percent) and creating more jobs and livelihood opportunities (21 percent), making these the highest-ranked concerns across regions and socio-economic classes. The survey indicated that Filipinos viewed economic hardship and corruption as closely linked issues. While food prices emerged as the most pressing concern nationwide, corruption ranked alongside economic priorities, underscoring public awareness that governance failures directly affect service delivery, household expenses, and livelihood opportunities. Meanwhile, Stratbase Group founder and chief executive officer Victor Andres Manhit said the findings showed that corruption was widely understood as an economic issue rather than a purely moral one. “Filipinos recognize that corruption has direct consequences on their daily lives. When public funds are misused, people feel it through higher prices, weaker public services, and fewer job opportunities,” he said. Manhit noted that the survey reflected expectations for parallel government action. “The public is not presenting an either-or choice,” he added. Manhit also said that Filipinos expected government leaders to address urgent economic concerns while ensuring accountability through investigation, arrest, and prosecution of those involved in corruption. The data also highlights increasing public scrutiny of governance performance, as Filipinos increasingly assess leadership based on tangible improvements in economic conditions alongside credible action to uphold accountability. “The message from the survey is clear. People want concrete economic relief alongside credible action against corruption, because these issues are deeply interconnected in everyday life," Manhit said.