73% of Pinoys won’t support pro-China candidates – Pulse Asia

MANILA, Philippines — A large majority of Filipinos are not inclined to support those who are deemed “pro-China candidates” in the May 2025 midterm elections, according to a commissioned survey conducted by Pulse Asia.

The Sept. 6 to 13 survey, commissioned by Stratbase ADR Institute, found that 73 percent of the respondents said they would not support candidates for national posts who are “pro-China at present or in the past.”

Only five percent said they would support such candidates, while 23 percent cannot say if they would support them or not.

Those who are against “pro-China candidates” were highest among respondents in the Visayas at 85 percent, followed by those in Metro Manila at 83 percent, Mindanao at 74 percent and the rest of Luzon at 65 percent.

It ranged from 72 to 74 percent across socio-economic classes.

Meanwhile, 10 percent of the respondents from Mindanao and 10 percent among those in classes ABC said they would support “pro-China candidates.”

It was five percent or below in other demographics.

“The sentiment among Filipinos reflects a profound mistrust toward candidates who align themselves with China. Many Filipinos feel that China’s actions, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, directly challenge our sovereignty and undermine our nation’s interests. This prevailing view is driven by both patriotic sentiment and a desire for leaders who will prioritize the Philippines’ long-term security and prosperity,” Stratbase founder Dindo Manhit said.

“Electing pro-China candidates poses significant risks, as it will lead to policies that compromise our territorial integrity, 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,” Manhit added.

Most trusted

The respondents were also asked which countries they think are the Philippines’ most trusted partners in national development.

The United States topped the list with 79 percent, followed by Japan with 50 percent, Canada with 43 percent, Australia with 42 percent and the United Kingdom with 18 percent.

These were followed by the European Union with 15 percent, South Korea with 13 percent, Russia with seven percent, India with two percent and China with one percent.

“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 operations) and incidents involving alleged Chinese espionage, such as the case of Alice Guo, have further fueled distrust,” Manhit said.

“Our people need trustworthy partners who respect our laws and our sovereignty. China’s actions have repeatedly contradicted these fundamental principles,” he added.

The survey had 2,400 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus two percent. — Mayen Jaymalin, Evelyn Macairan, Delon Porcalla