PHL Ranks 95th In Global Corruption Report

The Philippines ranks 95th among 168 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2015 released by Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) on Wednesday.

The Philippines scored 35 out of 100 in the global corruption survey.

The country’s ranking in 2015 improved by 39 notches from its spot in 2010 at 134th place.

However, the nation’s ranking in CPI 2015 declined by 10 notches from rank 85 in the 2014 index.

In the Southeast Asian region, the Philippines now ranks fifth — from rank three in the previous report — being surpassed by Thailand and Indonesia which ranked 76th and 88th, respectively, in the global survey.

Singapore is the least corrupt country among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations which ranked 8th globally followed by Malaysia placing at 54th spot.

The Philippines, for this year’s report, surpassed Vietnam at 112th place; Laos at 139th; Myanmar at 147th; and Cambodia at 150th.

CPI measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption around the world, scoring zero for most corrupt territories and 100 for least corrupt countries.

Average score in Asia Pacific is similar to the average global score at 43 out of 100.

Sixty-seven percent of countries in Asia Pacific also score below 50 in the CPI 2015.

“If there was one common challenge to unite the Asia Pacific region, it would be corruption. From campaign pledges to media coverage to civil society forums, corruption dominates discussion. Yet despite all this talk, there’s little sign of action,” said TI Regional Director of Asia Pacific Department Srirak Plipat.

Meanwhile, the five least corrupt countries in the world include Denmark, Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, and Netherlands. (PNA) BNB/KMC