President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said allegations that Chinese money was linked to Vice President Sara Duterte could pose a national security threat if proven true, calling for evidence to establish the truth.

“The most disturbing aspect of it is the Chinese money. That now rises to a national security issue,” Marcos said. “If it is true, it is a national security issue.”

Marcos said the first step in addressing the allegations was to determine whether they were true, adding that he would welcome evidence disproving them.

“Nothing would make me happier than proof that it is not true. Then it's one less thing that I have to worry about. But if it is true, it is a threat at the highest level to the republic,” he said.

The president said the Department of National Defense (DND) was right to respond to the allegations and look into the matter, as it falls within the agency's responsibility to address national security concerns.

Marcos made the remarks when asked about the allegations involving Duterte and whether he denied her claim that he was behind efforts to discredit her.

He said he was no longer closely following developments surrounding the vice president's impeachment proceedings, noting that he only watched brief highlights at the end of the day.

“I have too much work,” Marcos said, adding that he had no involvement in the proceedings and would leave the Senate to do its work.

He said his priority was to fulfill his responsibilities as president and complete the programs and projects he had set out to accomplish before his term ends.

Marcos said he was focused on continuing work already started, adding that finishing these tasks remained his first thought upon waking up and his last thought before going to sleep.

He also acknowledged that he had limited time left in office and wanted to accomplish as much as possible before his presidency ends.