Vice President Sara Duterte questioned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s independent foreign policy amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
This was the vice president’s response to the President’s allegation that the Duterte family is pro-China.
“Sagutin niya yung tanong ko. Where is the independent foreign policy that is required by the Constitution? Where is it right now? Explain to the Filipino people how you are going to implement your independent foreign policy. Huwag nilang pasagutin yung nagtatanong na sasabihin nila ako ay isang pro-China person,” she said.
Duterte also asked the President why he is leaning towards America, which has a complex relationship with China.
“Bakit ka, bakit ka kikiling sa isang superpower ng kalaban nung may problema ka? Kumbaga, may problema tayo sa China, so bakit tayo kampi sa US? Para magkaroon ka naman ng dignidad as a country. Wag yung parang, ano ba yung magtago ka sa saya ng iyong nanay? Ano bang saying yun? Magtago ka sa saya ng iyong nanay? Hindi. You stand on your own and face China with regard to your issues in the West Philippine Sea. You don’t lean towards another superpower and say, “Oh, please help me because he is bullying me.” Ano yun? We have our Filipino pride,” the vice president added.
Duterte underscored that the Marcos administration has had that narrative for a long time that she or the Duterte family is pro-China.
She also emphasized that she is not pro of any country at all, but she is for the Philippines.
“Matagal na nila yan na narrative na pro-China ako. I’m not pro any country at all. Ang sinasabi ko lagi, we need to develop, we need to maintain, and we need to level up our relations with all countries. Hindi lang sa China. Pero kung nakikita ninyo sa ngayon, nakikita niyo na we have problems, we have issues, we have challenges with our relationship with China, particularly with our issues and the implementation of the arbitral award in the West Philippine Sea,” Duterte said.
On his podcast on Saturday, Marcos pronounced he wanted history to remember him as the Chief Executive who “did not yield” on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The President emphasized that the Philippines will continue to defend the territory of the Republic.
The vice president stressed that a country always needs to cultivate good relations with, not just its neighbors, but the entire global community.
“And in international relations, kung wala kang away, ‘wag mo simulan yung away. You always need to cultivate good relations with, not just your neighbors, but the entire global community. Sila din naman nagpapasalita sa akin eh. Ayaw ko magsalita noon kasi nakikita ko yung mali na ginagawa niya. Pinipilit nila ako magsalita. Ngayon, sagutin niya. Nasaan na ang independent foreign policy ng Pilipinas na nasa konstitusyon natin?” she said.
