A recent survey commissioned by the Stratbase ADR Institute revealed that a vast majority of Filipinos will not support politicians with pro-China views in next year’s midterm elections. Conducted by Pulse Asia, the poll highlighted the growing distrust of China among the population.

According to the survey, 73 percent of respondents expressed that they would not back pro-China candidates in the upcoming elections, signaling a significant public rejection of politicians perceived to be aligned with Beijing. 

Only five percent indicated support for candidates favoring stronger ties with China, while 23 percent remained undecided. The survey was conducted from September 6 to 13, with 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

Dindo Manhit, founder and CEO of Stratbase, said: “Many Filipinos feel that China’s actions, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, directly challenge our sovereignty and undermine our nation’s interests.” 

The opposition to pro-China candidates was strongest in the Visayas (85 percent), followed by Metro Manila (83 percent), Mindanao (74 percent), and Luzon (65 percent). The sentiment was consistent across socioeconomic classes, ranging from 72 to 74 percent.

Manhit further warned of the risks that pro-China candidates could pose to the country’s territorial integrity. 

“Electing pro-China candidates poses significant risks, as it will lead to policies that compromise our territorial integrity and economic interests,” he explained. 

He added that such candidates would serve as “direct conduits for Chinese influence,” which could undermine national security and allow Beijing to further entrench its position in the disputed waters. He pointed to China’s repeated violations of international maritime law, which have already escalated tensions in the South China Sea.

U.S. as most trusted ally 

The Pulse Asia survey also revealed that the U.S. remains the most trusted partner for the Philippines in terms of national development. 

A staggering 79 percent of Filipinos identified the U.S. as the country’s most reliable ally, far surpassing other countries. Japan followed with 50 percent, while Canada (43 percent), Australia (42 percent), and the United Kingdom (18 percent) also ranked high on the list of trusted partners. 

China, in contrast, garnered only one percent of the trust vote, further emphasizing the deep mistrust many Filipinos have toward Beijing’s intentions.

“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,” Manhit said. 

He added that China’s repeated actions undermine not only the Philippines’ sovereignty but also its national development goals.

The survey also showed that only seven percent of Filipinos believed that China is a beneficial economic partner, compared to 66 percent who preferred the U.S. Japan, Australia, and Canada were also viewed more favorably, with 43 percent, 32 percent, and 31 percent, respectively, backing their economic partnerships with the Philippines.

With more than 66 million Filipinos set to vote in the midterm elections in May 2025, the survey results indicated that candidates perceived as aligned with China could face significant hurdles. Over 18,280 candidates are expected to vie for various posts across the country, with public opinion on foreign relations likely playing a crucial role in shaping electoral outcomes.

As tensions in the South China Sea continue to dominate headlines, the Philippines’ firm stance against Chinese aggression, alongside growing public distrust of pro-China policies, is expected to influence voter preferences in the coming months.

Philippines the sole ASEAN nation criticizing China’s action in South China Sea

Meanwhile, Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) West Philippine Sea operations, said the Philippines stands as the sole member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) actively and publicly condemning China’s illegal, coercive, and aggressive actions in the South China Sea.

Tarriela issued this statement in response to an editorial published by China’s Global Times. The opinion piece claimed that “Manila is the only ASEAN member that deliberately turns a blind eye to Washington’s manipulation” in the region. 

Tarriela, however, firmly rejected this characterization, saying that the Philippines’ actions are motivated by its own national interests, not by foreign influence.

“The Philippines stands as the sole ASEAN member actively denouncing China’s illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions in the South China Sea,” Tarriela posted on X. He emphasized that the country’s stance goes beyond a territorial dispute. 

“Our stance is not merely a fight for our rights in the West Philippine Sea; it reflects our commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting the marine environment, and safeguarding the livelihoods of local fishermen,” Tarriela said, adding that China should “cease its narrative” that the Philippines is merely serving as a pawn for U.S. interests.

PCG video evidence refutes Chinese claims

To further bolster the Philippines’ position, Tarriela pointed to the PCG’s video documentation of China’s aggressive actions, emphasizing that none of the footage showed U.S. involvement in the disputed waters.

“For over a year, we have brought to light your barbaric and provocative actions, and in every photo and video we have released, there is no evidence of U.S. vessels — only the Chinese Coast Guard, Chinese Maritime Militia, and PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy,” he stressed. 

According to Tarriela, Beijing’s expectation that ASEAN nations would remain silent in the face of China’s violations is “misguided”. He asserted that the Philippines will continue to call out actions that undermine regional stability, harm the marine ecosystem, and endanger Filipino fishermen.

The Global Times editorial came after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. expressed frustration over Beijing’s approach to the ongoing Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations in the South China Sea. Teodoro noted on October 14 that he has yet to see “good faith” on China’s part in these discussions, which are intended to de-escalate tensions in the region.

The defense chief’s remarks echoed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier call for ASEAN members to “not turn a blind eye” to China’s aggressive behavior in the contested waters. 

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