President Ferdinang Marcos Jr. and former President Rodrigo Duterte (File photos from the Presidential Communications Office)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� 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鈥檚 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.
鈥淭his survey confirms that Filipinos are firmly standing with Team Pilipinas, rejecting leaders who have compromised the nation for China 鈥� 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,鈥� Ortega said.
According to the survey, 8 percent of the respondents support the opposition 鈥� those belonging to the Liberal Party and who align themselves with former Vice President Leni Robredo.
There were also 26 percent who tagged themselves as independent, while 12 percent did not give an answer.
Ortega believes that during Duterte鈥檚 time, the Philippines鈥� 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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鈥淒uterte鈥檚 loyalty to China wasn鈥檛 just about the West Philippine Sea. It extended to Pogos, which became hubs for crime, human trafficking, and corruption,鈥� the House member said.
鈥淭he damage his administration caused is still being cleaned up today,鈥� he said.
鈥淧resident Bongbong Marcos is standing up for the country. He is defending our waters, going after illegal Pogos, and cutting off China鈥檚 backdoor influence,鈥� the lawmaker went on.
鈥淭hat is why Filipinos are with Team Pilipinas, not Team China,鈥� he concluded.
When he was president, Duterte was credited with repairing ties with China, which were strained by his predecessor鈥檚 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鈥� victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration was just a piece of paper that could be thrown into a waste bin.