Philippines
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
58 / 100
Partly Free
Internet Freedom
61 / 100
Partly Free
Although the Philippines transitioned from authoritarian rule in 1986, the rule of law and application of justice are haphazard and heavily favor political and economic elites. Long-term violent insurgencies have continued for decades, though their threat to the state has diminished in recent years.
Research & Recommendations
Philippines
Partly Free
58
100
| PR Political Rights | 25 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 33 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
58
100
Partly Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Overview
The Philippines hosts a vibrant political landscape, and elections are free from overt restrictions. However, established political elites benefit from structural advantages, and problems including organized disinformation campaigns and widespread vote buying have undermined fair competition. Corruption is endemic, and anticorruption bodies struggle to uphold their mandates. Journalists and activists who are perceived as critical of the government or other powerful interests can face criminal cases and extralegal violence. Terrorist and insurgent activity continues on the southern island of Mindanao. Abuses by police and military personnel remain a concern.
Freedom in the World 2026 Policy Recommendations
Strengthen democratic coordination and collective action in a contested global order
Democratic resilience will increasingly depend on stronger coordination among countries that share a commitment to freedom, the rule of law, and accountable governance.
Reimagine international democracy assistance to help reverse the global decline in freedom
International support for democratic institutions, civil society, and independent media has been associated with modest but meaningful improvements in democratic governance, and it is far less costly than the military outlays necessitated by rising authoritarian aggression.
Prioritize engagement with younger generations in the digital spaces where civic identity is now formed
Young people are increasingly dissatisfied with democracy—not because they reject its principles, but because they see institutions failing to deliver on them. Programmatic work should create clear pathways for meaningful political participation, from voting and policy engagement to community organizing and public leadership, so that young people can translate their expectations into agency.
Philippines
Partly Free
61
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 17 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 23 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 21 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
60
100
Partly Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the methodology and report acknowledgements.
Political Overview
The Philippines hosts a vibrant political landscape, and elections are free from overt restrictions. However, established political elites benefit from structural advantages, and problems including highly organized disinformation campaigns and widespread vote buying have undermined fair competition. Corruption is endemic, and anticorruption bodies struggle to uphold their mandates. Journalists and activists who are perceived as critical of the government or other powerful interests can face criminal cases and extralegal violence. Terrorist and insurgent activity continues on the southern island of Mindanao. Abuses by police and military personnel remain a concern. While the levels of violence and impunity decreased somewhat after a new administration took office in 2022, harmful practices such as “red-tagging”—the denunciation of government critics as supposed communists—have persisted.
Freedom on the Net 2026 Policy Recommendations
Undermine Authoritarian Internet Restrictions
Access to the internet is under threat as authoritarian powers continue to create barriers for people to freely express themselves online. Internet shutdowns, throttling, and platform blocking remain among the most common tools of digital repression. At the same time, digital technologies serve as a lifeline for people seeking to expose human rights violations to the outside world and hold dictators accountable.
Safeguard Privacy Online
Protecting privacy online is essential to safeguarding free expression in repressive contexts. Without strong privacy protections, journalists and human rights defenders may self-censor out of a fear of reprisal. Rapid advances in AI—and the growing threat of automated vulnerability exploitation—heighten these risks, leaving civil society organizations increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks.
News and Updates
Featured
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Policy & Advocacy
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
58
/ 100
Partly Free
Freedom on the Net Score
61
/ 100
Partly Free
Population: 115,600,000
Internet Facts
Status
Partly Free
Networks Restricted
No
Social Media Blocked
No
Websites Blocked
Yes
Pro-government Commentators
Yes
Users Arrested
Yes
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
May 12, 2025
Type of Election
Legislative
Internet Penetration
73.60%
Election Year
2025
Vulnerability Index
56
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked
