Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday expressed concern over President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s remarks that alleged Chinese funds linked to her could pose a national security threat, saying the statement appeared to indicate that she had been considered a threat since 2023.
Speaking during the kick-off of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) 91st anniversary celebration, Duterte said Marcos’ statement was concerning not only because it involved the country’s second-highest official but also because it could cast suspicion on businesses engaged in trade with China.
“Nakakabahala ito dahil parang inamin na rin niya na simula nung 2023 ay itinuring nila akong threat,” Duterte said.
She also questioned the implications of describing a vice president as a threat to the country, adding that many businesses in the Philippines import goods from or export products to China.
“Parang sinasabi niya na yung mga nagnenegosyo na merong trade sa China ay threat din sa bansa,” she said.
Speaking at a press briefing during his visit to Singapore on Sunday, Marcos said allegations that Chinese money was linked to Duterte could pose a national security threat if proven true, emphasizing the need for evidence to establish the veracity of the claims. The allegations involve reported financial transactions linked to entities associated with the Vice President and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Earlier, Duterte expressed regret over the Philippines’ association with regional illegal drug trafficking, saying she felt embarrassed that the country had become a focus of concern among its Southeast Asian neighbors.
Meanwhile, the Vice President thanked the governments of Laos and Thailand for their anti-illegal drug operations, which she said had helped protect Filipino families from the harmful effects of illegal drugs.
Duterte called on the Philippine government to strengthen its own anti-illegal drug operations, stressing that reducing domestic drug consumption would help address the supply of illegal drugs entering the country.
Marcos and Duterte were running mates in the 2022 elections under the UniTeam alliance, campaigning on a platform of national unity. They won by landslide margins, but their political partnership gradually deteriorated over disagreements on policy, political investigations, and relations among their families.
The split became increasingly public in 2024, when Duterte resigned from Marcos’ Cabinet and the two camps exchanged increasingly sharp criticism.
