MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp on Monday, October 5, denied allegations linking her and her family to the Chinese government, following claims raised by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV involving alleged financial transactions connected to China.
In an ambush interview, Duterte’s spokesperson, Atty. Paolo Panelo, rejected the allegations and maintained that the Vice President has no relationship with the Chinese government.
“Hindi po. Wala pong ganong ugnayan with China,” Panelo said.
Panelo was responding to claims made by Trillanes, a prominent critic of the Duterte family, who recently discussed what he described as financial activities involving Duterte and her family.
Among the allegations raised by the former senator were purported financial inflows of more than ₱319 million and ₱150 million from the Chinese government and China-based companies through separate organizations allegedly associated with Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Panelo dismissed Trillanes’ accusations, saying they would have no effect on the Vice President because, according to him, the allegations were untrue.
“Para sa amin, walang impact kasi hindi naman totoo yung pinaparatang sa kanya na sinusuportahan siya ng China o merong ganyang aligasyon ni Sen. Trillanes na merong national security concern,” Panelo said.
He added that Duterte’s camp would only be concerned if the allegations were being used to exert political pressure on the Vice President or if government authorities were allegedly abusing their powers against her.
Panelo also suggested that political considerations could be behind the accusations, saying Duterte’s camp had anticipated such moves against the Vice President.
Meanwhile, Malacañang said allegations involving possible foreign interference should be examined if supported by credible evidence.
During a Palace briefing in Manila, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was aware of the allegations but maintained that the administration was not involved in making them.
“Alam ng Pangulo ito…Kung mapapakita at malaki ang ebidensya, matatag, o matibay na ebidensya ni Senator Trillanes, hindi po ito dapat na i-ignore. Hindi po dapat ito na hindi pansinin dahil hindi po nakikialam dapat ang isang bansa sa anumnag pulitika ng Pilipinas,” Castro said.
Castro said the allegations could be examined by government agencies within their respective mandates, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the National Security Council (NSC) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), particularly if sufficient evidence exists to support the claims.
She stressed that the accusations should not simply be dismissed without determining whether there is a factual basis for them.
“Hindi maaaring sabihing: Wala lang, hindi totoo yan, kasinungalingan yan at gawa gawa na naman ng administrasyon ito,” Castro said.
The Palace official said an investigation could help establish whether there was any actual foreign involvement in Philippine political affairs rather than being used merely to discredit individuals.
“Magandang maimbestigahan ito, hindi para siraan kung sino man kundi para malaman natin kung anong katotohanan dito at kung meron bang nanghihimasok na ibang bansa sa ating politika,” Castro added.
Regarding the separate allegation involving ₱150 million allegedly donated by China to an organization linked to the Vice President, Castro said authorities would first need to establish the origin and destination of the funds, as well as whether the alleged donation actually took place.
“we need to see where the money went, where the donations went, how much was donated, and whether it is true that China made the donation.”
Castro said the administration would have no issue with the matter if the alleged donation could not be substantiated.
“Sa Pangulo at sa administrasyon na ito, kung ano lang naman po ang katotohanan, kung hindi naman sila nag-donate ng ₱150 million para sa political career ni dating Pangulong Duterte at para sa pamumulitika, wala naman pong magiging problema doon,” Castro said.
The allegations come as Duterte faces an impeachment trial in the Senate, where questions concerning financial transactions and alleged unexplained wealth have also formed part of the proceedings.
The claims involving alleged Chinese funding and political interference remain allegations and have yet to be conclusively established by an appropriate investigation or judicial finding.