The Philippines is perceived by foreign businessmen as Asias most corrupt economy, according to a survey on March 13 that also found countries were failing properly to tackle corruption. Singapore and Hong Kong were seen as the cleanest economies, while China, Indonesia and Vietnam posted improvements, the Hong Kongbased Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) said in a summary made available to AFP.

Perception of corruption in Thailand worsened, with the military junta now in power after last September’s coup seen as little better than the government it ousted.

The Philippines has the distinction of being perceived in the worst light this year, PERC said after polling 1,476 expatriate business executives in 13 countries and territories across the region in January and February. In a grading system with zero as the best possible score and 10 the worst, the Philippines got 9.40, worsening sharply from its grade of 7.80 last year. Indonesia had been deemed Asia’s most corrupt country in 2006.

PERC, which provides advice to private firms and governments, said it had not noted a worsening in the actual situation in the Philippines despite its deteriorating score. Thailand and Indonesia, both on a grade of 8.03, shared the spot as Asia’s second most corrupt nations.