66% adult Filipinos back Marcos admin's response to WPS dispute — OCTA Research

A “clear majority” of adult Filipinos, or 66 percent, supports the Marcos administration’s assertive response in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) territorial dispute, a survey by OCTA Research said Friday.

The non-commissioned survey, conducted from April 20 to 24, 2026, showed that 13 percent of adult Filipinos disagree, while 19 percent cannot say either way regarding the administration's response to the WPS dispute.

The survey used face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults aged 18 and above nationwide, and had a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.

By area, support for the administration was highest in the NCR at 70 percent, followed by Balance Luzon at 68 percent. It remained above the halfway mark in the Visayas at 65 percent and Mindanao at 62 percent.

The survey noted that opposition was highest in Mindanao at 19 percent, “suggesting the administration's approach faces its sharpest scrutiny there,” according to OCTA.

OCTA pointed out that the 66 percent approval rate confirms a pattern that “Filipino public opinion has consistently and convergently favored a firmer, more assertive government posture in the West Philippine Sea,” consistent with their related survey in March.

Recalling the March 2026 First Quarter survey, 69 percent (top-ranked response) of Filipinos called for further asserting Philippine territorial rights through expanded naval patrols and troop presence, and was followed by asserting through diplomacy and peaceful methods and the modernization of the military.

By class, those who were supportive were highest among Class ABC at 68 percent, followed by Class D at 67 percent, and Class E at 63 percent.

The survey identified a notable pattern of uncertainty rather than disagreement among Class E respondents at 27 percent, indicating that there is not a divide driven by disagreement with the WPS policy, but rather caused by an “information or engagement gap.”

By resident, agreement is nearly identical among urban and rural respondents, registering 66 percent.

By gender, agreement was higher among male respondents at 69 percent, compared to female respondents at 64 percent.

The survey showed that support was consistent across all educational levels: 66 percent among those with no formal or elementary education, 67 percent with a high school education, 64 percent with vocational training, and 66 percent with college or postgraduate degrees. — RSJ, GMA News