As the world awaits the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, Filipinos are divided over which candidate would best serve the Philippines’ interests.

Harris: Continuity and stability

Former Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Cuisia Jr. believes a Kamala Harris win would bring much-needed continuity and stability to U.S.-Philippines relations.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Cuisia argued that Harris would likely continue and expand the pro-Philippines stance of the Biden administration, offering predictability for the country’s economic and political strategies.

Filipinos favor Trump; Fil-Ams support Harris

A September survey by independent polling firm WR Numero found that 18% of Filipinos favor Donald Trump, while 14% support Harris. The majority of respondents (52%) were undecided, and 16% felt the outcome would not significantly affect the Philippines.

In contrast, Filipino-Americans overwhelmingly support Harris. Analysts suggest the her focus on strengthening alliances with Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, would be a more stable and secure path for Filipino-Americans seeking consistent foreign policy support.

Disillusioned with U.S. Policy

Cleve Arguelles, president of WR Numero, indicated that recent surveys showed some Filipinos were disillusioned over the lack of changes in U.S. foreign policy, regardless of the next president. This occurs despite the US and the Philippines strengthening their security partnership and the US pledging $500 million in military aid.

Trump leads the odds

Although polls show a tight race, online betting platforms like Polymarket suggest a clear lead for Trump. As of October 31, Trump’s odds of winning stood at 65.5%, compared to Harris’ 34.5%. Despite the close polling results, the betting markets favor Trump as the likely winner.

Financial markets react to potential Trump victory

The financial markets have responded to the shifting political landscape. On Tuesday, stocks, bond yields, and even bitcoin surged as Republican gains in the U.S. election hinted at a tightening race. With Trump closing in on 270 electoral votes, market optimism grew, reflecting investor confidence in a potential Trump victory.