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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'I'm pro-Philippines": VP Sara refutes silence on China issue

'I'm pro-Philippines": VP Sara refutes silence on China issue

Published May 7, 2025 12:36 am  |  Updated May 7, 2025 02:41 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte denied accusations that she’s been siding with China amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea involving the disputed territories.

                                 Vice President Sara Duterte (MB File Photo)

In an interview in Kidapawan City on Tuesday, May 6, the Vice President denied allegations that she’s pro-China.

“I’m pro-Philippines and nothing else,” she said.

“Hindi ba obvious (Isn’t it obvious)?,” she asked, noting she’s in the country campaigning for the midterm elections and the China topic shouldn’t be an issue.

It was La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V who questioned Duterte’s loyalty after she continuously hit administration allies in her campaign speeches, “but never China.”

“Apparently, mum is the word when it comes to Beijing. She’s dead silent when the issue about China occupying our very own yard is raised. Silent as the grave with zipped and sealed lips – very much unlike her,” the lawmaker said in a statement.

The Vice President hit back at Ortega, alleging that he’s a “product of warlordism here in our country.”

She also urged the lawmaker to focus on the present problems of the country.

“Ang problema natin dito ay ang hindi pagtupad sa mga pangako (Our problem here is the failure to fulfill the promises),” she said in Bisaya, referring to President Marcos’ campaign promise of a P20-per-kilo rice.

“Don’t change the topic, boy. The topic is promises made and broken again and again,” she added.

The National Food Authority (NFA) recently suspended only after a day of implementation the sale of the P20-per-kilo rice in Cebu province to comply with the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) warning. The sale will resume after the election on May 12.

Meanwhile, Duterte also did not mince words against Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Adiong, the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) former House budget sponsor.

Calling him also “a product of warlordism in Mindanao,” she said “I don’t think he (Adiong) is the proper person to talk about decency, dignity, and civility.”

The lawmaker has criticized the Vice President for her “shame campaign” against pro-administration congressmen and election candidates.

“The Filipino people deserve leaders who inspire by example, not those who intimidate with threats or vulgarity. The public square should be a platform for ideas, not a battleground for insults,” he said.

Adiong gave this remarks after Duterte’s scathing personal attacks against Manila Reps. Bienvenido Abante, Joel Chua, and Rolando Valeriano, and other Marcos administration allies.

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Sara Duterte Pro-China West Philippine Sea
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