Voters Want Bets Asserting WPS Rights - SWS

Eight in 10 Filipino voters will support candidates they believe will assert the country's rights against China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea, a recent commissioned survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

- With Alexis Romero

The Feb. 15 to 19 survey, commissioned by the Stratbase Group, showed that 78 percent of the respondents prefer "a candidate who believes that the Philippines must assert our rights against China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea."

Only 22 percent said they prefer "a candidate who does not believe that the Philippines must assert our rights against China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea."

Support for candidates seen ready to fight for the country's rights in the West Philippine Sea was highest among those in Metro Manila at 87 percent, followed by those in the rest of Luzon at 83 percent, the Visayas at 76 percent and Mindanao at 67 percent.

The survey results reflect a separate Stratbase-commissioned poll, also conducted by the SWS in February, showing top issues Filipinos consider in selecting their favored candidates.

In the survey, 77 percent of respondents prefer candidates advocating national security and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

At a forum last week, Stratbase president Dindo Manhit said the survey results underscore the urgency for the Philippines to reinforce its defense posture, uphold international law and collaborate with allies to deter any threats.