Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte dared Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro to name supposedly pro-China government officials on the West Philippine Sea issue over his call for their resignation.
Duterte told the media in a chance interview on Thursday, Aug. 6, that it should be clear to the Filipino people whom Teodoro is referring to.
“Hindi pwedeng magbitaw ka ng ganoon na salita, hindi mo naman pangalanan yung mga opisyal,” she said.
[Translation: You can’t just issue those remarks without naming the officials.]
The vice president added that even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could be a ‘suspect’ in Teodoro’s remarks.
Teodoro had said pro-China government officials should consider quitting because public officials are sworn to uphold the Constitution and laws.
Duterte’s brother, Davao 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, earlier slammed Teodoro’s position, saying he should instead pursue legal action if he believes any public official has violated the law instead of publicly calling for their resignation.
The Palace voiced support for Teodoro, saying it was an expression of patriotism.
Reacting to the vice president’s comment, House senior deputy minority leader Leila de Lima said it was obvious who are pro-China officials.
“Kailangan pa bang pangalanan…Yung mga tinatamaan sa pahayag na pro-China sila, patunayan nilang hindi. Tigil-tigilan nila yung pananahimik o pagtatanggol pa sa mga pang-aalipusta, panggigipit at pangangamkam ng China sa ating teritoryo,” she wrote on X.
[Translation: Do we need to name names? Those being accused of being pro-China should prove otherwise. They should stop staying silent or, worse, defending China’s intimidation, harassment, and encroachment on our territory.]
In 2025, the vice president had dismissed claims that her family is pro-China by saying that she is not “pro-any country at all.”
