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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte challenges Teodoro to 'name officials' accused of siding with China on WPS

Duterte challenges Teodoro to 'name officials' accused of siding with China on WPS

VP Sara says Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. should identify the officials he was referring to, warning that vague accusations could cast suspicion even on the President

Published Aug 6, 2026 06:07 pm

At A Glance

  • Vice President Sara Duterte urged Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to identify the officials he claimed were defending China on the West Philippine Sea issue.
  • She said making accusations without naming individuals could unfairly create suspicion against other government officials.
  • Duterte argued that even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could become the subject of public speculation if no names are identified.
Vice President Sara Duterte said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. should identify the government officials he claims are defending China on the West Philippine Sea issue, arguing that vague accusations could unfairly cast suspicion on other officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Screengrab: OVP video)
Vice President Sara Duterte said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. should identify the government officials he claims are defending China on the West Philippine Sea issue, arguing that vague accusations could unfairly cast suspicion on other officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Screengrab: OVP video)
Stressing that broad statements without naming individuals could unfairly cast suspicion on others, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, on Thursday, Aug. 6, called on Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. to identify the government officials he claimed were defending China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
"Siguro para klaro, sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin dapat pangalanan kung sino yung mga officials na tinutukoy niya na nagde-defend sa China over the West Philippine Sea issue (Perhaps, to make things clear, our fellow citizens deserve to know exactly which officials he is referring to as defending China on the West Philippine Sea issue)," Duterte said in an interview after attending the Thanksgiving Mass for the Kadayawan Festival at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City.
Duterte made the remark when asked to react to Teodoro's statement that government officials allegedly defending China's position on the West Philippine Sea should resign.
'Name the officials'
The Vice President said clarity is essential whenever accusations are made against public officials, stressing that allegations should not be made without identifying the people involved.
"Kasi hindi pwedeng magbitaw ka ng ganoon na salita, hindi mo naman pangalanan yung mga opisyal (You cannot simply make such a statement without naming the officials involved)," Duterte said.
Duterte warned that failing to identify the individuals being accused could fuel speculation and unnecessarily implicate other government leaders.
"At syempre suspect kahit ang Presidente natin kasali sa suspect doon kasi walang pangalan, walang listahan ng pangalan (And of course, even our President could become the subject of suspicion because no names or list of names have been provided)," she added.
Duterte maintained that public officials should be specific when making serious allegations to avoid creating confusion or casting unwarranted suspicion.
Teodoro earlier said government officials who defend China's position on the West Philippine Sea should resign from their posts, citing the country's continuing maritime dispute with Beijing. 

Related Tags

Sara Duterte Gilberto Teodoro West Philippine Sea China-Philippines dispute WPS issue
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