Metro Manila, Philippines – Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro said former Sen. Sonny Trillanes’s allegations of China-linked funding involving Vice President Sara Duterte could have serious national security implications if proven.
“The allegations of former Senator Trillanes, if substantiated, raise serious implications for national security,” Teodoro said in a text message shared by Malacanang.
“He should submit the evidence in his possession, if any, to our law enforcement authorities so the matter can be thoroughly investigated,” he added.
Trillanes on Friday, Oct. 2, alleged that hundreds of millions of pesos from the Chinese government and China-based entities flowed to organizations and businesses associated with Duterte and her husband, Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Among the transactions he cited was a ₱150-million donation from the Chinese government to Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines, an organization associated with Duterte.
The donation itself was publicly documented in 2018 and was intended for the construction of school buildings in Davao City.
Trillanes also alleged that more than ₱319 million from China-linked sources went to Cale88 Foods Corporation, where Carpio had previously been an incorporator and shareholder.
Teodoro’s statement follows Malacañang’s call for the allegations to be scrutinized if backed by evidence.
“Kung sapat ang ebidensya, hindi ito dapat isawalang bahala,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
[Translation: If there is sufficient evidence, this should not be disregarded.]
Castro said the administration was not passing judgment but warned against foreign money influencing public officials to remain silent on actions against Filipino fishermen or compromise the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Duterte’s camp has rejected Trillanes’s allegations.
Her spokesperson, Paolo Panelo, called the claims “malicious fabrications” and “black propaganda,” saying the vice president’s defense team was prepared to challenge allegations brought before the Senate Impeachment Court.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila had a short response to NewsWatch Plus.
“This is Philippine domestic politics. No comment,” it said.
