MANILA, Philippines – Pito sa 10 Filipino ang nagsabing hindi nila susuportahan ang mga kandidatong mas kumakampi sa China sa isyu ng West Philippine Sea, at iba pang aspeto, sa papalapit na 2025 elections, ayon sa think-tank Stratbase ADR Institute nitong Lunes, Oktubre 14.
Ito ay batay sa resulta ng commissioned survey sa Pulse Asia, kung saan 1,300 respondents ang tinanong mula Setyembre 6 hanggang 13, at may ± 3 percent margin of error.
Ang tanong ay kung susuportahan ba ng mga Filipino o hindi ang “candidate in the May 2025 national elections who is pro-China at present or in the past.”
Nakita sa resulta na malaking bahagi o 73% ng mga Filipino ang nagsabing hindi nila susuportahan ang pro-China candidates sa May 2025.
Tanging 5% lamang ng mga Filipino ang nagsabing susuportahan nila ang pro-China candidates, habang 23 percent ang nagsabing hindi nila matukoy “whether or not they will support pro-China candidates.”
Ayon kay Stratbase ADR Institute president Dindo Manhit, ang sentimyentong ito ay sumasalamin sa kawalan ng tiwala ng mga Filipino sa mga kandidato na kumakampi sa Beijing.
“Electing pro-China candidates poses significant risks, as it will lead to policies that compromise our territorial integrity, (and) economic interests. Such candidates will become direct conduits for Chinese influence, which can jeopardize our national security and further empower a state that has repeatedly disregarded our sovereign rights and the international rules-based order. This is not just a political choice but a decision that can jeopardize our future and our nation’s standing in the global arena,” aniya.
Sa kaparehong Pulse Asia survey, lumabas din na 1% lamang ang nagtitiwala sa China.
Nanguna naman sa trusted partner ng Pilipinas sa national development ang Estados Unidos sa 79%, sinundan ng Japan sa 50%.
“Filipinos are right to question China’s role as a reliable development partner. Beyond the West Philippine Sea disputes, raging issues like the corrosive impact of POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) and incidents involving alleged Chinese espionage, such as the case of Alice Guo, have further fueled distrust,” paliwanag ni Manhit.
“Our people need trustworthy partners who respect our laws and our sovereignty. China’s actions have repeatedly contradicted these fundamental principles, casting doubt on their sincerity in supporting our national development goals,” dagdag pa niya.
Tanging 7% rin ang nagsabi sa mga Filipino na naniniwala silang ang China ay beneficial economic partner para sa Pilipinas.
Nanguna na naman dito ang Estados Unidos sa 66%, sinundan ng Japan sa 43 percent, Australia sa 32 percent, at Canada sa 31 percent.
“The Philippines remains committed to strengthening its partnerships with like-minded nations such as the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, the Republic of Korea, and India. These countries have proven to be dependable allies, not only in ensuring regional stability but also in fostering economic growth,” ani Manhit. RNT/JGC
