Two weeks before the landmark ruling on the South China Sea, many Filipinos still expressed distrust in China with 51 percent having “little trust,” 19 percent undecided on the matter, and 27 percent having “much trust” in China, the latest Social Weather Stations survey said.
In the nationwide survey with 1,200 respondents and conducted last June 24-27, just two weeks before the July 12 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, 51 percent of Filipinos expressed little trust and 27 percent have much trust in China, which translates to a net trust score of “poor” -24 (percentage of those with much trust minus percentage of those with little trust).
However, SWS noted that the latest net score already improved from a net score of “bad” -37 in April (18 percent with much trust and 56 percent with little trust).
Net trust ratings of +70 and above is classified by SWS as “excellent;” +50 to +69, “very good;” +30 to +49, “good;” +10 to +29, “moderate;” +9 to -9, “neutral;” -10 to -29, “poor;” -30 to -49, “bad;” -50 to -69, “very bad;” and -70 and below, “execrable.”
The respondents were particularly asked, “For the following, please indicate if your trust/faith in (name of country) is “very much,” “somewhat much,” “undecided” if much or little, “somewhat little,” “very little,” or you have not heard or read anything about the (country) ever?”
They were asked to indicate their answers by placing cards on the appropriate box.
SWS also pointed out that the latest net trust score is the best since March 2014 when China received a net score of -15 (29 percent with much trust, 26 percent undecided, 44 percent with little trust).
Last July 12, the Hague-based Tribunal invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims in the South China Sea as sought by the Philippines based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The case was filed by the Philippines in 2013. (Ellalyn B. de Vera)