MANILA — The Philippine Trust Study (PTS) has revealed that trust among Filipinos is no longer a given but is conditional and can only be earned through key factors: Transparency, competence, and ethical behavior.

Conducted by EON Group, the study unveiled an "accountability revolution" where Filipinos expect institutions to act with integrity and deliver results before extending their trust.

"Trust is not built on promises but on proof," said Junie del Mundo, discussing the study’s findings.

Done in collaboration with the Department of Development Studies at Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), the nationwide study enrolled 1,800 Filipino participants through focus group discussions (FGDs) and surveys conducted from November 2023 to October 2024.

It highlights public expectations across six sectors: Government, business, media, religious institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the academe.

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One of the study's findings revealed that local government units (LGUs) had a higher trust rating of 95.4%, than the Office of the President’s (OP) 82.3% and the Congress’ 81.6%.

The data suggests that trust in LGUs is strong while the national government’s rate reflects more caution as public perceptions of transparency, competence, and consistency in governance influence it.

This number was influenced by 38.4% of respondents valuing good intentions, 36.9% emphasizing competence, and 34.9% prioritizing consistent behavior.

Hence, for Filipinos, elected leaders are preferred rather than appointed ones,  aligning with this year’s theme: “The Accountability Revolution—Why Filipinos Demand Proof Before Full Trust”

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WHAT FILIPINOS REQUIRE BEFORE GIVING THEIR TRUST

Earned through transparency, competence, and ethical behavior, government leaders for Filipinos need to be more consultative than imposing.

For most respondents, promises matter in the government, as do action and consistency.

PTS also noted that Filipinos need help distinguishing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from government programs as this highlights an identity crisis within the sector.

Hence, NGOs' trust level is rooted in perceived helpfulness, support in education, medical assistance, youth welfare, general assistance, and overall financial aid, unlike the national government’s rating highly influenced by public perception.

HIGH TRUST IN TV MEDIA

Another sector securing a high trust rating is the media industry, with television rating 93.6%, the highest across media platforms.

People give importance to media personalities who speak the truth and report reliably during difficult circumstances, the study found.

Trust in media is also amplified by headlines supported by evidence, are unbiased, and amplifies voices of underdogs.

This explains the significant distrust in social media platforms rooted in misinformation and lack of content regulation, underscoring the public’s demand for more rigorous fact-checking and accountability.

Meanwhile, the business sector received a 93.9% rating for drug and medicine businesses while real estate developers gained a 79.6% trust rating level. These numbers show that Filipinos consider ethical practices, product service, quality, and sustainability as key factors.

Digital payment apps also received a lower trust rating compared to other featured industries as trust-worthy businesses encompass good employers and companies that have good management practices.

On the other hand, religious institutions received 60 to 90% overall ratings with the Roman Catholic Church garnering a 92.4% trust level.

However, the trust ratings differed when asked about their religious groups initiative to act on their sentiments: 80.% in Islam affirms, while 69.88% in Iglesia ni Cristo, 49.7% in Roman Catholics, and 45.9% in Born Again Christians agree on the likeliness.

This sector’s trust was gained and influenced not only by faith but also by the perceived engagement of religious groups in addressing societal needs and member welfare.

The results were tracked by the Philippine Trust Study formerly known as the Philippine Trust Index. Since 2011, PTS has provided critical insights for the public and private sectors and is now in its 9th repetition.

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