For the first time, Vice President Sara Duterte spoke about the Philippines’ maritime and territorial issues with China, saying that it is best not to politicize the issue merely for “media mileage” and “social media commentary.”
 

Vice President Sara Duterte (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page)

During the budget hearing for the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed 2025 budget on Tuesday, Aug. 27, the official broke her silence and expressed her appreciation for “the sacrifices made by our uniformed personnel in the service of our national interest.”
 

Duterte is a reserved officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
 

“However, it is crucial to avoid politicizing their sacrifices for media mileage or social media commentary,” the Vice President said.
 

“Instead, we should focus on ensuring that their efforts are recognized and valued in a manner that respects their contributions and uphold the dignity of their service, which we in the OVP, continue to do and have always chosen to do away from the cameras,” she added.
 

Duterte also recognized that while her “silence on specific harassment issues” are being perceived “as a lack of response,” President Marcos remains the chief architect of foreign policy “that follows appropriate agencies are tasked with addressing and implementing measures related to our foreign policy positions and principles.”
 

She also hinted that decisions on the territorial row are not part of her mandate and instead “are made following established mandates and particular responsibilities of relevant agencies.”
 

In a rare statement, the country’s second-highest official cited both the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated the basis of China’s claims in the South China Sea.
 

“As Filipinos, we are all in agreement that our claim is firmly anchored on the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” she said, noting though that “bilateral relations are not dictated by a singular issue or concern like a territorial dispute.”
 

Rather, the official backed a “comprehensive approach that considers the broader context of shared interests and regional stability.”
 

She also stressed that the Constitution “provides that the State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self determination.”
 

This is the first time Duterte has addressed the country’s issues with China, which included, among others harassments and intimidations in areas well within the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the bullying of Filipino fishermen, the ramming of Philippine vessels by China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, and lately, the launching of flares against a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) patrol plane.
 

Despite her remarks, the Vice President did not condemn China’s actions and did not ask Beijing to cease from its unlawful intrusions into Philippine territories and EEZs.