Strong public distrust of China and its perception as the country’s greatest external threat in a national survey affirm President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s firm and consistent stance in defending Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, a lawmaker said Thursday.
Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun of Zambales pointed to the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) nationwide survey conducted by OCTA Research, which found that only 13 percent of adult Filipinos believe the Philippines should trust China, while 60 percent disagree and 26 percent remain undecided.
“The numbers are very clear. This is no longer a fringe view or an elite position,” Khonghun, whose province lies on the West Philippine Sea seaboard, said.
“When a strong majority of Filipinos express distrust and see China as the country’s biggest threat, leaders have a duty to listen and act responsibly.”
On Monday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made it clear that President Marcos is standing firmly behind Philippine officials in defending the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea, amid China’s growing public attacks on Filipinos who speak out against Beijing’s illegal activities.
Castro said the Chief Executive has been unequivocal in his directive: the Philippines will continue to defend what is rightfully its own and will not yield “even an inch” of the country’s territory.
The survey, released as a public service and not commissioned by any group, also showed that 79 percent of adult Filipinos now view China as the Philippines’ greatest threat, up from 74 percent in July 2025. Russia and the United States trailed far behind at 5 percent and 4 percent, respectively.
“For me, this is democracy speaking,” Khonghun said. “Defending our sovereign rights is not warmongering. It is responding to what the Filipino people themselves are saying.”
The Central Luzon House leader said the issue goes beyond geopolitics and has real consequences for ordinary Filipinos, particularly in terms of food security.
“When our fishermen are harassed or prevented from fishing in our own waters, that loss eventually reaches the dining table,” Khonghun said. “Reduced catch means higher prices and fewer choices for Filipino families. This is why the West Philippine Sea matters to everyday life.”
According to OCTA Research, the TNM survey was conducted from Dec. 3 to 11, 2025, using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adult respondents nationwide.
The survey has a ±3 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level, with subnational margins of error of ±6 percent for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Regionally, distrust of China remained consistently high, ranging from 56 percent to 63 percent, with the highest levels recorded in Balance Luzon and the National Capital Region. Trust levels varied widely, from zero in Caraga to 31 percent in the Davao Region.
Across socioeconomic classes, distrust was highest among Class E respondents at 70 percent, compared with 61 percent among Class ABC and 59 percent among Class D.
OCTA also noted that skepticism toward China cut across age groups and educational levels, with distrust more pronounced among Filipinos aged 45 and above.
“These findings should inform our national conversation,” Khonghun said. “They show that Filipinos across regions and income groups are united in their concern. Our policies must reflect that unity while remaining grounded in law, diplomacy, and the protection of livelihoods.”
