A RECENT Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on Filipinos’ candidate preference regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute reinforces public support for the administration-backed Team Pilipinas senatorial slate, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga said Sunday.
Gonzales made this assessment upon seeing the survey results, which showed that eight in 10 Filipinos would prefer candidates who believe in asserting the country’s rights in WPS amid China’s aggressive activities in the disputed waters.
“Ang survey ay nagpapatunay na solid ang suporta ng taong bayan sa mga kandidato ng Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas ng Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. Sila ‘yung bumubuo ng Team Pilipinas,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales said the poll also strengthens the chances of victory of administration candidates over those of Team China and those associated with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The House leader from Pampanga recalled that at the launching of the Alyansa campaign in his home province of Ilocos Norte last February 11, the President made crystal clear the difference between his candidates and those of the opposition.
He quoted the President as telling his province mates and the nation:
“Wala sa kanila (Alyansa candidates) ang pumapalakpak sa Tsina at natutuwa pa kapag tayo ay binobomba ng tubig, tinatamaan ang ating mga Coast Guard, hinaharang ang ating mga mangingisda, ninanakaw ang kanilang huli, at bukod pa roon ay inaagaw pa ang mga isla natin para maging bahagi ng kanilang bansa,” President Marcos said.
“Wala po sa kanila ang tilang sakristan ng isang bulaang propeta na nasasakdal dahil sa pagyurak sa ating kabataan at sa ating kababaihan. Wala sa kanila ang tagataguyod ng pugad ng krimen, ng sentro nang paglalapastangan ng mga kababaihan na mga POGO,” the Chief Executive said.
“Tayo ngayon ay nasa sangang-daan ng ating paglalakbay bilang isang malayang bansa, bilang isang sambayanang may dangal, may sipag, at may talino,” according to the President.
The President asked: “Tayo ba ay papayag na babalik sa panahon gusto ng – kung kailan gusto ng ating mga liderato maging probinsya tayo ng Tsina? Babalik ba tayo sa nakaraan na ibinubugaw ang ating bayan bilang isang sugalan ng mga dayuhan?”
Gonzales said Filipinos responded to the questions of President Marcos Jr. by expressing preference for his candidates and rejecting those inclined to support China in the West Philippine Sea dispute and those identified with Beijing’s ally former President Duterte.
He said the newest survey is consistent with previous polls showing that an overwhelming majority of Filipinos – 9 in 10 – did not trust China.
“If our people do not trust the Chinese, they will not trust China’s defenders,” Gonzales said.
He pointed out that even in Mindanao, the Dutertes’ bailiwick, people do not prefer pro-China public office aspirants, with only 33 percent of them inclined to support these politicians as against 78-percent nationwide preference for those who assert the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.
In the SWS nationwide survey conducted last Feb. 15-19, 1,800 respondents were asked if they would prefer a candidate “who believes that the Philippines must assert our rights against China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea,” or a candidate who “does not believe” in such assertion.
The poll showed that 78 percent of respondents prefer an aspirant who would fight for the country’s rights in WPS as against 22-percent preference for a candidate who would not.
Preference for the first candidate was highest in Metro Manila at 87 percent, followed by Balance of Luzon at 83 percent and Visayas at 76 percent. It was lowest in Mindanao at 67 percent.
Support for an aspirant who would not fight for the West Philippine Sea was highest in Mindanao at 33 percent and lowest in Metro Manila at 13 percent.
The survey was commissioned by Stratbase Group.
About the Author
