AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines ranked first in a global survey on the image of the United States (US) worldwide, beating even the US itself when it comes to a favorable view on the American people.
According to the 2013 Global Attitudes Project of Pew Research Center in Washington DC, Philippines got an 85 percent score, the highest, when people were asked “Do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of the US?”
Following Philippines are Israel and Ghana both with 83 percent, and the US with 81 percent.
Among the highest who had an unfavorable view are Jordan with 85 percent, Egypt with 81 percent, the Palestinian territory with 79 percent, and Pakistan with 72 percent.
Only 13 percent of Filipinos said they had an unfavorable view of the US.
The Global Attitudes Project “conducts public opinion surveys around the world on a broad array of subjects ranging from people’s assessments of their own lives to their views about the current state of the world and important issues of the day,” Pew Research said in its website.
The 2013 Survey, posted online at https://www.pewglobal.org/database/indicator/1/, was conducted in 39 countries and interviewed 37,653 respondents.
View on American people
When asked “Do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of the American people?” 85 percent of Filipinos said they have a favorable view, higher than the US, which had a score of 84 percent.
Ghana, with 84 percent, is tied with the US while South Korea had 80 percent.
Those who had an unfavorable view of Americans were from the Palestinian territory (69 percent), Turkey (68 percent), Jordan and Egypt (both 65 percent).
View on national interests
When asked if the US considers the respective country’s interests, 85 percent of Filipinos answered “Great deal/ fair amount.”
Kenya (79 percent), placed second followed by South Africa (73 percent), and US (70 percent).
The US and the Philippines are currently in the process of finalizing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement that would allow US troops to access Philippine Military bases.
The agreement is reportedly being fast tracked to make it to the visit of US president Barack Obama on April 28-29.
Leading global superpower
On the question “Will China eventually replace the US as the world’s leading superpower?” the Philippines ranked first in the list of those who answered “Will never replace” with 74 percent.
Japan followed close with 72 percent while the third ranked country is Egypt with a far 56 percent.
Philippines and Japan are involved in a maritime dispute with China over islands and islets in the South China Sea. Philippine has previously filed for an arbitration case before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
The leading country who answered “Will eventually replace” is China with 58 percent, followed by Spain and Great Britain (55 percent), and Canada and Australia (52 percent).
Influential partner
When asked about the amount of influence the US has in the way things are going on the country, 90 percent of Filipinos answered “Great deal / fair amount.”
Philippines is followed by Kenya (85 percent), Brazil (83 percent), and South Africa (77 percent).
On the question “Is the US more of a partner, enemy, or neither?” the Philippines ranked fourth in answering “Partner” with 81 percent.
Israel leads with 90 percent followed by El Salvador (88 percent), Senegal (84 percent).
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