House Deputy Speaker La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V has credited President Marcos for his "clear and consistent" stand when it comes to defending Philippine territory.

This, as Ortega cited the results of recent nationwide survey, which showed Filipinos' overwhelming support for efforts to protect the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“For a small country, resolve matters. Strength is not measured by size, but by the courage to stand firm and by our commitment to the rule of law. That is the realism President Marcos has shown,” Ortega said in a statement Wednesday, Jan. 25.

“President Marcos has been clear and consistent: we will defend what is ours, anchored on law and diplomacy. Our soldiers, Coast Guard personnel and fishermen are on the frontlines every day. While others debate, Filipinos stand watch,” he noted.

According to Ortega, the findings of the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey conducted by OCTA Research affirm that the administration’s position is aligned with public sentiment, particularly as ordinary Filipinos continue to bear the cost of tensions at sea.

The non-commissioned TNM survey, conducted from Dec. 3 to 11, 2025 through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adult respondents nationwide, showed that 60 percent disagree that the Philippines should trust China.

Only 13 percent of Filipinos believe the Philippines should trust China, while 26 percent remain undecided. The survey has a ±3 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level.

The same poll found that 79 percent of Filipinos view China as the country’s greatest external threat, up from 74 percent in July 2025. Russia and the United States (US) trailed far behind at 5 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

Ortega stressed that the WPS issue wasn't an abstract geopolitical debate but a daily struggle for Filipinos whose livelihoods depend on the country’s waters.

“Our fishermen feel this first. When they are harassed or driven away, it means fewer fish brought home and higher prices in the market. That is why defending our maritime rights is also about food security and protecting families,” the solon fron Ilocandia said.

OCTA Research said distrust toward China remained consistently high across regions, ranging from 56 percent to 63 percent, with the highest levels recorded in Balance Luzon and the National Capital Region. Trust levels varied widely, from zero in Caraga to a high of 31 percent in the Davao Region.

Ortega said the survey reinforces the importance of pursuing peaceful but firm legal remedies grounded in international law.

“This is not about being anti-any nation. This is about being pro-law, pro-sovereignty and pro-Filipino. We stand on the arbitral ruling and UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), not on force or intimidation.”

The deputy speaker added that continued support for the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and coastal communities is crucial as the country asserts its rights.

“The message from the people is unmistakable. They expect their government to defend the nation’s territory, protect those on the frontlines, and do so with dignity and discipline. That is exactly what the President is doing," he further said.