More Filipinos back Marcos admin than the Dutertes, solon claims
President Ferdinang Marcos Jr. and former President Rodrigo Duterte (File photos from the Presidential Communications Office)
MANILA, Philippines — La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V believes that a recent survey showed that more Filipinos support the current administration rather than former President Rodrigo Duterte’s family and allies.
In a statement on Thursday, Ortega referred to the OCTA Research survey released on Wednesday.
The research showed that 36 percent of respondents supported the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while only 18 percent backed the Dutertes and their allies.
According to Ortega, this survey also shows that siding with a political faction is not just about supporting personalities. Rather, it is a decision to back the interests of the Philippines or of China, he said.
“This survey confirms that Filipinos are firmly standing with Team Pilipinas, rejecting leaders who have compromised the nation for China — whether by surrendering our rights in the West Philippine Sea or enabling the unchecked rise of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) controlled by Chinese interests,” Ortega said.
Article continues after this advertisementAccording to the survey, 8 percent of the respondents support the opposition — those belonging to the Liberal Party and who align themselves with former Vice President Leni Robredo.
Article continues after this advertisementThere were also 26 percent who tagged themselves as independent, while 12 percent did not give an answer.
Ortega believes that during Duterte’s time, the Philippines’ territorial claim to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) weakened, while several moves were made that gave rise to illegal activities in Pogos, money laundering, and other organized crimes.
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“Duterte’s loyalty to China wasn’t just about the West Philippine Sea. It extended to Pogos, which became hubs for crime, human trafficking, and corruption,” the House member said.
“The damage his administration caused is still being cleaned up today,” he said.
“President Bongbong Marcos is standing up for the country. He is defending our waters, going after illegal Pogos, and cutting off China’s backdoor influence,” the lawmaker went on.
“That is why Filipinos are with Team Pilipinas, not Team China,” he concluded.
When he was president, Duterte was credited with repairing ties with China, which were strained by his predecessor’s protest and defiance of Chinese intrusion over the WPS.
The former president himself previously joked about making the Philippines a Chinese province.
The former chief executive also said the Philippines’ victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration was just a piece of paper that could be thrown into a waste bin.
