MANILA -- Malacañang hailed Wednesday the country's improved ranking in the list of most corrupt countries based on the 2012 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released by Transparency International Philippines.
"The Aquino Administration continues to make big strides in its anti-corruption agenda, as it leapfrogged 24 places in the recently released Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International," Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.
Out of 176 countries, the Philippines now ranked 105th, up from 129th last year.
Lacierda said the Palace sees the improvement "as an affirmation of the efforts to strengthen institutions, provide deterrents against corrupt practices, and hold accountable those who have used power for personal gain."
"While the improvement in our rankings upholds President Aquino's resolve to tread the straight path of good governance, the administration nonetheless acknowledges that the anti-corruption drive remains a work in progress," he added.
"Transparency needs to be instituted across all government agencies, whether on the national or local level. There are still bumps that need to be evened out for the playing field to be truly leveled. In many cases, justice remains to be served," he further said.
The Philippines tied with countries such as Algeria, Armenia, Bolivia, Gambia, Kosovo, Mali and Mexico at 105th place.
Although the country's ranking improved, its CPI score remained to be low with 34 out of 100. Based on the index, a score of zero means the country is perceived to be very corrupt and 100 means it is perceived to be very clean.
Denmark, Finland and New Zealand tied for first place on this year's ranking.
In Asia, Singapore ranked the highest at 5th place, followed by Hong Kong (14), Japan (17), Taiwan (37), South Korea (45) and Brunei (46).
Somalia, North Korea and Afghanistan have the lowest rankings on the index. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)