Pinoys trust US, Canada, Japan the most —SWS

Three countries got the highest trust ratings of Filipinos, according to the latest survey by the Social Weather Stations.

SWS' 2017 last quarter poll showed that Filipinos trust the United States, Canada, and Japan the most among 14 specific countries included in the survey.

The study ranks the selected countries as "very good", "moderate", "neutral" and "poor" based on the respondents' trust ratings.

Based on the survey results, under the "very good" category were: 

• United States at +68,
• Canada at +55, and
• Japan at +54.

Those with "moderate" trust rating

• Singapore at +29,
• Malaysia at +20,
• Thailand at +19,
• Indonesia at +18,
• Brunei at +16, and
• Vietnam at +13.

In the "neutral" category

• Myanmar at +8,
• Cambodia at +7,
• China at +7, and
• Laos at +3

Categorized as "poor" in trust rating was North Korea.

"Except for the United States and North Korea, the December 2017 net trust ratings were at least one grade higher compared to when they were last surveyed for all the countries tested in the survey," the SWS said, adding that its terminology for Net Trust Ratings are as follows:

+70 and above, "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"; -70 and below, "execrable."

It also noted that net trust ratings rose for the United States, Canada and Japan.

Net trust rating stayed very good for the United States, at +68 (75% much trust, 7% little trust) in December 2017, 8 points up from the +60 in September 2017. It has been positive since SWS first surveyed it in December 1994, ranging from a moderate +18 in May 2005 to as high as excellent +82 in December 2013.

The December 2017 Social Weather Survey was conducted from December 8-16, 2017 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao).

According to the SWS the study was non-commissioned and the results were released as a public service. Moreover, it said that the specific countries included in the surveys are based on their relevance to foreign affairs.

Exact questions:

"PAG-USAPAN PO NATIN ANG TUNGKOL SA ILANG BANSA. SA MGA SUMUSUNOD, MAAARI PO BANG SABIHIN NINYO KUNG ANG PAGTITIWALA NINYO SA (BANSA) AY NAPAKALAKI, MEDYO MALAKI, HINDI TIYAK KUNG MALAKI O MALIIT, MEDYO MALIIT, NAPAKALIIT, O WALA PA KAYONG NARINIG O NABASA KAHIT NA KAILAN TUNGKOL SA (BANSA)? PAKISABI ANG SAGOT NINYO SA PAMAMAGITAN NG PAGLAGAY NG MGA KARD SA NAAANGKOP NA LUGAR SA RATING BOARD NA ITO. [Let's now talk about some countries. For the following, please indicate if your trust/faith in (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? You may indicate your answers by placing each card on the appropriate box on this rating board.]"

—LBG/KG, GMA News