GeoPulse

73% of Filipinos see bribery as normal. The Philippines ranks 120th of 182 on the global corruption index, among Southeast Asia’s worst. The two stats tell a sad but familiar story. #Corruption #Bribery #Transparency #Politics #PublicSector geopulselab.org/southeast-asia…

This is part of why PH is so vulnerable right now. Petty corruption slows EVERYTHING: delayed energy projects, stalled renewables, ghost infrastructure. It's like a boat with a million tiny holes. When the big storm (oil crisis) hits, the whole thing takes on water fast.

Proof? The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index just dropped. Philippines: 120th out of 182 countries. Score: 32/100 — worst under current methodology. Only Cambodia & Myanmar worse in Southeast Asia. Flood control scandal isn't the cause, it's a SYMPTOM of the system.

Corruption in the Philippines isn't just billion-peso scandals. It starts small with everyday BRIBERY. A 2025 survey shows 73% of adult Filipinos say bribery is the MOST COMMON form of corruption. Not misuse of funds or vote-buying — bribery that's part of daily life. 🇵🇭💸🧵

@bauerfilipino @ohlistic What do you mean? In Philippines or globally?

@ohlistic Coal is too plenty don’t worry

The Philippines imports most of its coal from Indonesia. Over half of the Philippine power grid is powered by coal. If Indonesia decides to reduce its coal exports due to the uncertain current crisis, we suffer intensely during the summer months when power grid is maxxed

@boochanco Great column. Repealing the current system would be reactive. Now is the time for strategic policymaking, not going back to old ways just because we are in an extreme fiscal situation.

My column today: The just-in-time weekly replenishment of stocks from the regional refineries in Singapore, China, South Korea, etc. is alright in good times. But when supply becomes iffy price control will make things worse. Products will just disappear. philstar.com/business/2026/…

@sstrangio There's unlikely to be a quick reverse to the situation too because the domino effect of hitting other industries like agriculture has started.

The impacts in SEA will vary widely. Indonesia is fiscally most vulnerable of major SEA economies. Vietnam has the smallest national oil reserve. Thailand is most exposed to Gulf oil imports. And these will all likely fare better than Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste.

A quiet war is unfolding along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Clashes with Taliban-linked militants, a nuclear power under pressure, and a volatile region already on edge. #Pakistan #Taliban #Afghanistan #SouthAsia #BorderConflict geopulselab.org/global-watch/b…

China’s World Trade Organization rise reshaped global trade, boosted its power, and challenged rules. Is it fair play or a long-term strategy? #ChinaTrade #WTO #GlobalEconomy #TechTransfer #TradeWars geopulselab.org/global-watch/g…

Malaysia steps up its battle against forced labor. A new action plan targets migrant worker protection, stricter labor laws, and stronger enforcement. #ForcedLabor #LabourRights #Malaysia #Workers geopulselab.org/southeast-asia…

A war meant to weaken Iran could end up weakening Washington instead. Strategic confusion, soaring oil prices, and the world on edge. #Iran #MiddleEast #USForeignPolicy #Israel #IranWar #StraitOfHormuz geopulselab.org/global-watch/g…

@legalter It would be such a loss to see them disappear. They can be made better, sure, but they don't need to be removed.

I would sooner get rid of ALL private vehicles than PUVs of any form. Modernize, regulate, and repurpose. But do not be rid of them.

After warning NATO and pressing Europe, Japan and South Korea to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, could the Philippines be next on Trump’s list? #Philippines #StraitOfHormuz #Geopolitics #WPS #IndoPacific geopulselab.org/southeast-asia…

@RichImperial Are we really talking about this when so much infrastructure corruption has yet to be addressed?!

Nahihirapan ka nga ayusin ang mga infra sa lupa. Bangag kang sirena ka?

@BrianTycangco @Wendershusband The music is arguably the best part of being in the time machine though...😅

@Wendershusband Even listening to the FM radio stations now are like entering a time machine.

Jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs rule the streets. The Philippines is stuck in the 1980s. And our President is still a Marcos.🙃

@ilovechrissia @BrianTycangco The government has been approaching this all wrong for years, and yet again they fail to course-correct.

@BrianTycangco The government has been trying to implement jeepney modernization for decades at this point, but they stubbornly keep passing too much of the cost towards the drivers/operators instead of subsidizing it directly, and the consequences of that penny-pinching is finally due.

This is another symptom of a failed public transport policy. There is already technology to replace these old, inefficient and polluting 70s era jeepneys - which consume 30 liters of diesel a day - with electric versions that (1) can cut the cost per km by 70% and (2) greatly reduce CO2 emissions. Not to mention the positive impact it will have on crowded thoroughfares. If the government could utilize even half of those fuel savings as a source of financing to help jeepney drivers pay for new vehicles without any additional out-of-pocket cost. Also no need to raise fares on commuters.

@icsc_ph Great analysis and reporting!!

Prior to the escalating conflicts in the Middle East, the Philippine power grid seemed well-equipped to handle the incoming summer, with a healthy supply of power reserves and forecasted neutral weather conditions that are unlikely to cause spikes in demand.

What begins as hope to support family turns into deadly danger. The government needs better digital monitoring and international cooperation to protect more Filipinos! #Philippines #RussiaUkraine Read more: geopulselab.org/southeast-asia…

In another case, a Filipino named John Patrick reportedly died in Donetsk after only one week of training with Russian forces.

A digital scam is luring Filipinos with fake job offers: ₱200,000–250,000 per month for "logistics work" in Russia. Instead, victims like Raymon Gumangan from Pangasinan are forced into the Russian military. He is now a prisoner of war, captured by Ukrainian forces.