Trust in Transparency: Dynamics of Tiwala and Pagsunod in Pasig City’s Reformist Governance

This project examines how transparency-driven reforms under Mayor Vico Sotto shape citizen trust (tiwala) and submission (pagsunod) in Pasig city local governance. Using participant observation, interviews, and focus group discussions across four diverse barangays, the study explores the interplay of relational trust, institutional accountability, and Filipino cultural values such as utang na loob, hiya, and pakikisama. Anchored in reflexive thematic analysis, this phase generates insights into how reformist governance influences everyday political relationships and democratic engagement in an urban Philippine context.