Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte has publicly criticized Vicente Sotto III over what he described as a sudden shift in stance regarding the proposed joint oil exploration between the Philippines and China.
Sotto earlier expressed optimism that a joint exploration deal could succeed, unlike during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a social media post on Tuesday, April 7, the younger Duterte questioned Sotto’s position, highlighting what he saw as inconsistency.
“Noon, matapang ang tindig mo laban sa China. Ngayon, biglang gusto mong itulak ang joint exploration—at sinisisi pa ang nakaraang administrasyon kung bakit hindi ito natuloy. Ano ba talaga, kuyang?” Duterte said.
He also referenced a past maritime issue involving the Philippine Coast Guard, raising questions about Sotto’s silence at the time.
“Naalala mo pa si Tariella ng PCG? Ang binigyan ng go signal para umusig laban sa China? Tahimik ka noon. Ngayon, bigla kang maingay? Out of the blue, nag-iba ang tono?” he added.
Duterte further cautioned against underestimating China, stressing the importance of consistency in policy positions.
“Hindi madaling maloko ang China; alam nila kung sino ang consistent at kung sino ang pabago-bago ng posisyon. At higit sa lahat, hindi rin dapat niloloko ang Pilipino. Kung paninindigan ang prinsipyo, panindigan hanggang dulo. Hindi ‘yung kahapon kontra, tapos ngayon kampi—depende sa kung saan mas may pakinabang,” he said.
As of writing, Sotto has yet to issue a response to Duterte’s remarks.