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A recent survey reveals contrasting preferences for US presidential candidates among Filipinos, with more respondents in the Philippines favouring Donald Trump over Kamala Harris, while Filipino-Americans overwhelmingly support the US vice-president.
This divergence reflects differing views on the candidates’ potential to strengthen bilateral ties and address rising tensions with China.
Findings from independent polling firm WR Numero, released on Monday, revealed that 18 per cent – nearly 1 in 5 – Filipinos surveyed in the Philippines prefer Trump to win this week’s US presidential election, while 14 per cent preferred Harris.
About 52 per cent said they were undecided or unfamiliar with either presidential candidate, while 16 per cent said it did not matter who wins for the Philippines. A total of 1,729 respondents took part in the survey conducted in September.
Cleve Arguelles, president of WR Numero, told This Week in Asia that the results might indicate that some Filipinos were disillusioned over the lack of changes in US foreign policy, regardless of the next occupant of the White House.
