By John Victor D. Ordoñez, A reporter
SEVEN out of ten Filipinos will not vote for people perceived to support China in next year’s mid-term elections amid tensions with Beijing, according to a survey conducted by Pulse Asia Research, Inc.
The survey, conducted by the Stratbase ADR Institute, showed that 73% of Filipinos said they would not support pro-China candidates, while 5% said they would support Chinese candidates. About 23% of Filipinos are undecided.
Pulse Asia interviewed 1,200 Filipinos on September 6 to 13 for the survey, which had a margin of error of ±3 points.
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
“Many Filipinos feel that China’s actions, especially in the West Philippine Sea, directly challenge our sovereignty and undermine our nation’s interests,” Victor Andres C. Manhit, president of the think tank, said in a statement.
“This prevailing view is driven by both patriotic feelings and the desire of leaders who will prioritize the security and prosperity of the Philippines,” he added.
He said choosing people who support China could lead to policies that jeopardize Manila’s maritime and economic interests.
Only 1% of Filipinos see China as a trusted development partner for the country, while 79% see the United States as the Philippines’ most trusted development partner, according to the survey. Almost half of Filipinos said Japan is Manila’s biggest partner.
About 7% of Filipinos said China is the Philippines’ most beneficial economic partner, while 66% support the US as their top economic partner, followed by Japan at 43%, Australia at 32% and Canada at 31% .
“These countries have proven to be reliable partners, not only in ensuring the stability of the region but also in promoting economic growth,” said Mr. Manhit.
Based on a July Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by Stratbase, 60% of Filipinos said that measures including joint patrols and military exercises with “allies, friends and partners” are sufficient in dealing with the Southeast Asian nation’s maritime dispute with China.
“The Pinoy voter is well known to make up his mind a few days before election day,” Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, senior researcher at the Ateneo Policy Center, in a Messenger interview. “So, this anti-China sentiment is still changing.”
“These results seem to suggest that Beijing’s efforts to win the hearts and minds of Pinoys are failing.”
He said that this year’s candidates will use the polls to raise noise and slogans against China, but it is unlikely that they will offer meaningful solutions for national security.
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. last week he pressed Southeast Asian leaders and China for a regional summit to speed up talks on a code of conduct in the South China Sea, while accusing Beijing of harassment and intimidation.
A 2016 dissenting ruling that rejected China’s claims in the South China Sea said the Scarborough shoal is an area of human heritage. fia fishing ground for Filipino, Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen. China has controlled the death toll since 2012.
The Philippines has not been able to enforce the ruling and has since filed hundreds of protests over what it calls piracy and harassment by China’s coast guard and dozens of its fishing vessels.
Maria Ela L. Atienza, who teaches political science at the University of the Philippines, said growing tensions with China and allegations of espionage and crime involving online gambling operators in the Philippines have made this anti-China sentiment more visible.
“We should not underestimate those who convey the interests of the Chinese because they may have many resources that can affect the campaign and ultimately the results of the election,” he said in a Viber message.
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