Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 6) — The Office of the President (OP) has distanced itself from Vice President Sara Duterte’s message to China on its 74th founding anniversary, in which she expressed hope that its partnership with the Philippines will prosper, according to ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo.
At the continuation of plenary debates Tuesday on House Bill 8980 or the proposed General Appropriations Act of 2024, Tulfo, the sponsor of the OP’s budget, said Duterte’s statement does not reflect the government’s stand on China.
In a video greeting shown Sept. 21, Duterte expressed her hope for expanded areas of cooperation between the Philippines and China, especially in the field of education and youth development.
“We hope that our partnership will prosper in the areas of agriculture, trade, investment, science and technology,” Duterte said.
Tulfo did not give a direct response when Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel asked if Duterte’s statement can be considered an act of treachery, particularly in light of China’s aggression in the South China Sea.
\”Ang ganitong mga sinabi ng Vice President, this is not consistent with the remarks of the Defense Secretary. Ang sinabi ng Defense Secretary sa committee budget briefing ay nagpo-portray ng cold attitude towards China, given its encroachment in the West Philippine Sea,\” the lawmaker pointed out.
[Translation: These words of the Vice President, this is not consistent with the remarks of the Defense Secretary. What the Defense Secretary said in the committee budget briefing portrays a cold attitude towards China, given its encroachment in the West Philippine Sea.]
\”How can the President reconcile these incompatible stances of his Vice President and his Defense Secretary?\” Manuel questioned. \”Maituturing ba nating pagta-traydor sa bansa ang ganitong mga mensahe ng VP?\” [Can we consider such messages of the VP as treason?]
\”‘Yung mensahe po ng VP ay sa kanya po yung mensahe but it doesn’ t reflect the message of the OP or the entire nation,\” Tulfo maintained. [The message of the VP is her own message and does not reflect the message of the OP or the entire nation.]
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin was present during the deliberations.
CNN Philippines reached out to the OP to confirm the matter.
Tensions continued between the two countries after China installed a “floating barrier” in an area in Bajo De Masinloc, also known as Panatag or Scarborough Shoal.
The Philippine Coast Guard has removed the 300-meter-long barrier that prevented Filipino fishermen from entering the shoal, while Beijing warned Manila not to “provoke and cause trouble” after this most recent incident over competing maritime claims of the two nations.
