Discourse Analysis on the Issue of Flood Control Projects: The Philippine Context of Corruption

Abstract

Perceptions of corruption widely influence how citizens interpret the credibility, legitimacy, and effectiveness of government institutions. Perceptions of corruption can affect citizens’ levels of political trust, willingness to participate in civic processes, and their expectations regarding government accountability and transparency. This narrative discourse analysis explored the meaning-making processes through which Filipino voters construct, interpret, and negotiate their perceptions of corruption within the context of social support. There were 18 Filipino voters who were purposively sampled to be interviewed. Narratives from one-on-one interviews were analyzed to identify the underlying meanings, shared interpretations, and recurring patterns. The results revealed that Filipino voters’ perceptions of flood control projects were shaped by the accessibility, timing, and credibility of information communicated through various social channels. Socially mediated information significantly influenced how voters interpreted the integrity of flood control initiatives. Online discussions, public reactions, and shared experiences served as important sources of meaning-making, where negative narratives and visible inconsistencies between official announcements and lived experiences strengthened perceptions of inefficiency, weak accountability, and possible corruption. Participants expressed concerns regarding the management of public funds, questioning whether government resources and tax contributions were being properly utilized when projects appeared ineffective, incomplete, or disconnected from community needs. When formal support mechanisms such as transparent communication and public engagement were insufficient, individuals relied on social networks to interpret governance issues. These networks became spaces where trust, skepticism, and perceptions of corruption were built up, influencing citizens’ views of government accountability, institutional integrity, and public trust.