Transparency in Governance: The Influence of Open Data on Public Trust in Philippine Context

Transparency in governance plays a critical role in strengthening democratic accountability and enhancing public trust, particularly in developing democracies such as the Philippines. The expansion of open data initiatives reflects government efforts to improve transparency, promote citizen engagement, and reinforce institutional legitimacy. However, public trust in government remains a significant concern despite these transparency reforms. This study examined the influence of open data transparency on public trust in government within the Philippine context, guided by Institutional Theory, Transparency Theory, and Trust Theory. Using a quantitative descriptive-correlational design, data were collected from 400 respondents representing citizens, government personnel, civil society members, and academic stakeholders. A structured instrument measured key dimensions of open data transparency, including accessibility, usability, reliability, and institutional openness, as well as dimensions of public trust such as competence, integrity, and accountability. Findings revealed that both open data transparency and public trust were perceived at moderate levels. Statistical analysis demonstrated a strong and significant positive relationship between open data transparency and public trust (r = .68, p