MANILA - Majority of Filipinos believes the Philippines' relationship with the US is "more important" that its ties with China, an independent Social Weather Stations poll released Saturday showed.

Seventy-eight percent of 1,800 adults polled from Sept. 27 to 30 said they found Manila's ties with Washington more important compared to Beijing. Twelve percent found the relationship with China more important than the US, the SWS said.

Preference for the US was highest in the Balance of Luzon at 83 percent, followed by Metro Manila at 79 percent, Visayas at 77 percent, and Mindanao at 67 percent.

As of September, 80 percent of Filipinos have "much trust" in the US, while 11 percent are "undecided", and 8 percent have "little trust," according to the pollster.

Meanwhile, 21 percent of Filipinos have "much trust" in China, while 23 percent are "undecided," and 54 percent have "little trust."

More than half or 52 percent of Filipinos said it was possible for the Philippines to have a good relationship with both China and US at the same time.

It was highest in Mindanao at 53 percent, followed by Metro Manila and Balance Luzon at 52 percent, and Visayas at 48 percent.

The US has raised alarm several times over China's military build up in the South China Sea, where Beijing is locked in disputes with several governments. including Manila. China said the US should not interfere in the region.

The SWS poll has a margin of error of ±2.3 percent for national percentages.