MANILA — Malacañang asserted on Tuesday, October 13, that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent remarks concerning Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged Chinese-linked funding will not fracture diplomatic ties with Beijing, provided the situation is evaluated strictly through factual evidence.
Speaking at a press briefing, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro pushed back against claims that the administration’s stance was meant to demonize China.
Castro highlighted that economic partnerships, particularly in trade and investments, remain robust, while maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea continue to be addressed via diplomatic avenues.
”Hindi puwedeng sabihin na dine-demonize ang China. There is no prohibition in dealing with China in relation to trade and investment, alam naman natin iyan. And we are also dealing with China in a very diplomatic manner,” Castro said.
She further noted that national sovereignty and territorial protection are entirely separate from overall bilateral commerce.
“So, walang hindi magandang relasyon sa China. Iba naman ang usapan kung ipinaglalaban natin ang sarili nating teritoryo at ang interes natin sa West Philippine Sea. Magkaiba iyon, huwag pagsamahin,” Castro explained.
The Palace’s statement comes in the wake of Vice President Duterte’s concerns raised on Monday, where she warned that the President linking her to a security threat could jeopardize her safety, weaken her politically, and strain foreign relations.
Addressing these worries, Castro clarified that the Chief Executive made no direct accusations, stressing that the statements were purely conditional upon concrete proof.
“Muli, sasabihin ko, ang Pangulo ay hindi nagkakaroon ng pagbibintang. Ang sabi lang ng Pangulo ay kung may ebidensiya. So kung wala namang mapapakitang ebidensiya na nagkakaroon ng anong klaseng negosasyon sa mga dayuhan na nakakaapekto sa pulitika natin, sa gobyerno natin, walang magiging problema, wala magiging isyu,” Castro said.