27 percent of Filipinos have experienced some form of cheating in a relationship, according to non-profit research firm Social Weather Stations (SWS). While this means that an overwhelming majority have, luckily, not dealt with cheating partners, 43 percent of the 1,200 respondents also say that trust can be restored after infidelity. Girl, really?
The survey, conducted in 2025, identified six kinds of cheating. Of those who said they had experienced infidelity, 11 percent identified physical cheating, described by SWS as “engaging in sexual and intimate activities with someone else.” Another 11 percent identified emotional cheating, or “having romantic feelings for another person even though there is no physical relationship.” Four percent of the “cheated” respondents say they have experienced micro-cheating, described as “using affectionate terms with someone other than one’s partner, or hiding one’s own relationship status.”
Types of cheating
The survey also identified other types of cheating that don’t necessarily involve pursuing sexual or romantic relationships. Cybercheating is described as “having other social media accounts without the partner’s knowledge, or secretly chatting with other people,” while object cheating is described as “giving too much attention to games, cellphones, or other material objects that one no longer has time for their partner.” Hiding luxury purchases or debts from one’s own partner is called financial cheating.
While 43 percent of respondents say they believe trust can be restored in a relationship after cheating, 36 percent disagree, and the remaining 19 percent are undecided.
A separate 2025 report from messaging platform Rakuten Viber suggests that the stakes may only get higher. In its global “The State of Modern Dating” report, Viber Dating predicts that in 2026, emotional intelligence will be more valuable than ever for those dipping their toes into the dating pool. That means being able to clearly communicate one’s feelings, wants, and needs — and, just as crucially, being able to empathize with a partner.
At the same time, while online dating fatigue is real, Viber reported in 2025 that Filipinos remain eager to scour dating apps in search of “the one.” So, don’t let the survey numbers make you complacent. In an app-saturated market where moving on can be as easy as a swipe, you’re absolutely replaceable if you do your partner wrong.
Frequently Asked QUestions
According to a Social Weather Stations survey of 1,200 respondents, 43 percent believe trust can be restored after infidelity, while 36 percent disagree and 19 percent remain undecided.
The SWS survey found that 27 percent of Filipinos have experienced some form of cheating in a relationship, based on responses collected in 2025 across six identified categories of infidelity.
SWS identified six types: physical cheating, emotional cheating, micro-cheating, cybercheating, object cheating, and financial cheating, ranging from secret romantic feelings to hiding luxury purchases or debts from a partner.
SWS defines micro-cheating as using affectionate terms with someone other than one’s partner, or hiding one’s relationship status from others, a subtler category compared to physical or emotional infidelity.
Rakuten Viber’s “The State of Modern Dating” report predicts emotional intelligence will become increasingly valuable in 2026 dating, emphasizing clear communication of feelings and needs, along with empathy toward a partner.
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