Malacañang has dismissed calls for a trade embargo against Beijing, maintaining that economic relations and maritime sovereignty disputes must be addressed independently.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. prefers resolving international friction through formal diplomatic channels rather than confrontational rhetoric.
“Ang Pangulo hindi po niya dinadaan sa parang magkaaway na mga bata. So, ang Pangulo po at ang administrasyon nakikipag-negotiate, nakikipag-usap sa liderato ng ibang bansa through a diplomatic manner,” Castro remarked.
“So, iba po ang usapin ng ekonomiya at iba rin po ang usapin patungkol po sa pagprotekta sa ating teritoryo at sa interes natin sa West Philippine Sea,” she added.
Castro also clarified that remarks made by security and diplomatic officials—including Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., DFA Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, and PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela—merely fulfill their institutional obligations to safeguard the nation’s maritime rights.
Aside from foreign policy, the Palace addressed the acceptance of international aid by local government units. Castro noted that foreign assistance is legally permissible provided recipients maintain strict transparency, proper documentation, and accountability regarding project implementation.
This clarification follows scrutiny over alleged Chinese remittances linked to Vice President Sara Duterte during ongoing impeachment discussions.