Lawmaker: Filipinos veering away from Duterte

By Jose Cielito Reganit, Philippine News Agency

FILE: Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with key government officials at the Malacañan Palace on March 7, 2022. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – More Filipinos are rallying behind President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s leadership while rejecting former president Rodrigo Duterte’s deep ties with China and his continued pro-Beijing stance, a ranking leader of the House of Representatives said Thursday.

House Deputy Majority Leader, La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V, was commenting on a recent OCTA Research survey, which suggested that more Filipinos are aligning with Marcos.

The Tugon ng Masa survey, conducted by OCTA from Jan.

25 to 31, showed that 36 percent of Filipinos support Marcos, while only 18 percent back Duterte.

Meanwhile, 26 percent support neither, and 8 percent align with the opposition.

Ortega said the survey results also confirmed that the political battle is no longer just about personalities – “it’s about Team Pilipinas versus Team China.”

“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,” he said in a news release.

He argued that Filipinos want leaders who prioritize national interest over foreign influence, adding that Marcos has taken steps to assert the country’s territorial rights, crack down on illegal POGOs, and curb China’s influence.

“The people have spoken. The Duterte era is over. Team Pilipinas is moving forward,” he added.