The Palace dared government officials who share similar pro-China sentiments as Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte to come forward so that the Filipino people may know which of their elected bureaucrats are actually loyal to the country.
“Mas maganda po siguro talaga kung kayo po ay nagpapakita ng katulad na pananaw ni Congressman Pulong Duterte, mas magandang lumantad na sila para makita natin kung sino ba talaga ang totoong nagmamahal sa bansang Pilipinas,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a Monday press briefing.
The statement comes in response to Rep. Duterte’s accusation against Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro of “demonizing” China and imposing a “loyalty test.”
Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. finds no fault with Teodoro’s convictions, adding that it demonstrates a love for the Philippines. Marcos believes that no matter an official’s political alliance, dedication to the country is not something to dispute upon, she asserted.
“So, wala tayong nakikita na mali ‘no, ang Pangulo, ang administrasyon ay walang nakikita na mali sa tinuran ni Secretary Gibo Teodoro. Ito ay pagpapakita ng pagmamahal sa ating bansa. Ang sabi nga ng Pangulo, pagdating sa pagpuprotekta sa ating interes kahit anuman ang ating kulay, kahit magkakaiba ang pananaw sa ibang issues pero ang patungkol sa pagmamahal sa bansa hindi ito pinag-uusapan,” the Palace official said.
Furthermore, she argued that the issue of maintaining solid ties between the Philippines and China to benefit local trade and business ventures is separate from the issue of safeguarding Philippine interests.
“Totoo na mayroon tayong magandang relasyon sa China patungkol sa trade, investment, negosyo—hindi iyan usapin. So, hindi puwedeng pagsamahin ang pagnenegosyo, magandang relasyon sa China sa pagpuprotekta sa interes ng Pilipinas,” Castro told the media.
She said that Filipinos must be wholly dedicated to their country and that such a remark coming from a public servant like Congressman Duterte is “alarming.”
“Ang pinag-uusapan po natin dito ay mga Pilipino, Pilipino na ang dapat ang puso ay para sa Pilipinas lamang. Hindi pinag-uusapan dito ang loyalty. Lahat tayong mga Pilipino dapat ang puso, ang paninindigan, ang ipaglalaban ay ang bansang Pilipinas lamang,” she said.
“So, kung kay Congressman Pulong Duterte ay pinag-uusapan ang loyalty ng mga Pilipino sa Pilipinas, lubhang kataka-taka, very alarming para sa isang katulad niya na mambabatas na lubhang parang nagpapakita na ang kaniyang loyalty ay hindi solido sa Pilipinas,” she added.
Previously, Teodoro called on government officials siding with China to resign. Later, he defended his position, emphasizing that upholding the Philippines’ sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is non-negotiable.
Duterte hit back at Teodoro, saying it is not his job to impose a “loyalty exam” for elected officials, whose mandate comes from the Filipino people.
Additionally, he condemned Teodoro’s supposed “demonization” of China, saying that patriotism cannot be judged based on one’s position on the WPS dispute.
