THE latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey which showed that eight out of 10 Filipinos prefer candidates who believe in asserting the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the face of China’s incursions only proves the public do not want candidates who are perceived to be protectors of Beijing, House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said yesterday.
Gonzales said this strengthens the chances of the senatorial candidates of the administration’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, the members of which have vowed to fight for the country’s rights in the WPS.
“If our people do not trust the Chinese, they will not trust China’s defenders,” Gonzales said, reacting to the survey that was conducted from February 15 to 19, or just before the national campaign period officially started.
In his speech during the kickoff campaign rally of the Alyansa Para a Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate in Laoag City last month, the President took potshots at allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte who are running for the Senate, saying none of the administration’s senatorial candidates have been involved in Oplan: Tohang or the “bloody” drug war, in alleged pocketing of public funds during the pandemic, in allowing the country to become a foreign gambling site or in applauding China’s harassments and attempts to take over parts of the Philippines to turn it into their province.
Gonzales said the survey result means that the majority of Filipinos would prefer candidates who believe in asserting the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea in the face of China’s incursions.
“The survey proves that the people’s support for the Alyansa’s candidates of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. is solid. They’re the Team Philippines,” he said.
The administration’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas ticket is composed of reelectionist Senators Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano and Francis Tolentino; former Senators Vicente Sotto III, Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao; Rep. Erwin Tulfo (PL, ACT-CIS), and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar, Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, and former Interior Secretary and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos.
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 result showed that 78 percent of respondents prefer an aspirant who will fight for the country’s rights, while only 22 percent of them are for a candidate who will 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 a pro-WPS candidate was highest in Mindanao at 33 percent and lowest in Metro Manila at 13 percent.
Gonzales said the poll “strengthens the chances of victory of administration candidates over those of Team China and those associated with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.”
He said Filipinos responded to the President’s call “by expressing preference for his candidates and rejecting those inclined to support China and those identified with Beijing’s ally former President Duterte.” He said the survey is also consistent with previous polls showing that an overwhelming majority of Filipinos, or nine out of 10, do not trust China.
Gonzales pointed out that even in Mindanao, the Dutertes’ bailiwick, people do not prefer pro-China candidates, noting that only 33 percent of them are inclined to support these politicians compared to the 78 percent nationwide preference for those who assert the country’s rights.
‘GAINING A FOOTHOLD’
Last Friday, the Alyansa ticket held a campaign rally in vote-rich Camarines Sur, a province that it considers a “crucial battleground” because of its 1.34 million voting population and land area.
Bicol boasts an estimated 4 million registered voters for the summer balloting, of whom 1.34 million are in CamSur.
Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said the administration slate appears to have gained a foothold in his province after an estimated 80,000 people attended the rally at the Kaogma grounds in Pili where the President appealed for support for the slate, describing it as his “dream team.”
“Proof that Alyansa has gained a foothold in vote-rich Bicol is the mammoth crowd, estimated at 80,000, that attended the campaign rally here before the weekend where President Marcos sought voter support for his powerhouse slate that he dubbed his ‘Dream Team’ in the incoming Senate,” he said. “The record rally crowd is a testament to the formidable support that the President enjoys among us CamSur folk, as we appreciate and value his Administration’s continuous efforts to energize our province and its people.”
Villafuerte said the President has already visited the province three times since he assumed office in 2022 to oversee local projects, including a visit to dislocated villagers and providing aid to them just after super typhoon Kristine hit Bicol and other parts of the country in October 2024.
The president of the National Unity Party (NUP) said he expects stronger local support for the Alyansa candidates after several of them expressed support in their sorties for CamSur’s top transport and connectivity concerns, including the long-delayed upgrade of the Naga Airport, to further boost tourism in the region.
He also cited the revival of the suspended PNR-South Long Haul or “Bicol Express” rail project, which is expected to cut travel time from a half-day to just four hours from Metro Manila.
RETURNING THE FAVOR
Pacquiao thanked Bicolanos for the unwavering support he received throughout his boxing career and vowed to return the favor once he regains a seat in the Senate.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa suportang ibinigay ninyo sa karera ko sa boxing. Kaya anuman naabot ko, nais kong ibalik sa inyo, mga kababayan ko (I thank you for the support you have given me throughout my boxing career. That’s why whatever I’ve achieved, I want to give back to all you, my people),” he said.
Pacquiao discussed his priority legislative agenda on strengthening investments in agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure to boost local industries; expanding support for small businesses and job creation to uplift Filipino families; and enhancing typhoon preparedness and response mechanisms to protect vulnerable communities.
“Ang laban ko, laban ng bawat Pilipino! At dito sa Bicol, sisiguraduhin nating walang maiiwan sa biyahe ng pag-unlad (My fight is the fight of every Filipino. And here in Bicol, I’ll make sure that no one will be left behind in our travel for progress),” he said.
