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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ortega hurls another tough question at VP Duterte: Are you loyal to Philippines or China?

Ortega hurls another tough question at VP Duterte: Are you loyal to Philippines or China?

Published May 5, 2025 06:05 pm

At A Glance

  • A day after demanding a receipt of her contributions to the country, La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V is now asking Vice President Sara Duterte which country she's truly loyal to.
A day after demanding a receipt of her contributions to the country, La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V is now asking Vice President Sara Duterte which country she's truly loyal to.

“Where does her loyalty really lie? China or Philippines?" Ortega said in a statement Monday, May 5.
"From my perspective, it seems she knows nothing in campaign but to engage in political mudslinging with ‘Hit PBBM, administration allies but China’ as her stone-etched template,” Ortega said of the second highest official of the land.
Accorsing to the Ilocano, Vice President Duterte has been going around "hitting almost everybody, 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,” Ortega stressed. 

For the House deputy majority leader, Duterte’s silence on China-related issues "implies consent".

“We haven’t heard even a word from her. So, if I were to interpret it, it may very possibly mean ‘it’s a go for China’ as far as she is concerned,” observed Ortega, who added, Generally, silence means yes.” 

 

“Again, where is patriotism here? Should we really listen or believe somebody whose interests goes exactly the opposite of 75 percent of Filipinos, who, based on the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, are likely to vote overwhelmingly and root for Team Pilipinas!” he said, referring to the members of the President Marcos-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate. 

Vice President Duterte is a vocal critic of President Marcos, her 2022 election ally.

Among the issues that Duterte have reportedly been silent on is the Chinese occupation of Sandy Cay. The sand bar is located just four nautical miles from Pag-asa Island, which is Philippine territory. 

 

“If we cannot count on VP Sara to defend us against foreign bullying, how can we expect her to uphold Filipino interests?” Ortega asked. 

On Sunday, the congressman asked the impeached Duterte, “Ano ba talaga ang naitulong mo sa bayan bilang Bise Presidente? Imbes na tumulong, parang puro gulo at pag-iwas ang naging ambag mo (What have you really contributed to the nation as Vice President? Instead of helping, it seems like your contribution has only been chaos and evasion)."

He said Duterte has failed to publicly address the allegations listed in her impeachment complaint. 
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