Duterte misunderstood Marcos’ statements on China money—Castro

MANILA— Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Tuesday hit back at Vice President Sara Duterte’s scathing remarks against the Marcos administration.

Castro said Duterte seemed to have misunderstood Marcos’ statements on Duterte’s alleged receipt of China money, where Marcos said that if proven true, would be a national security issue.

Duterte questioned Marcos’ statements saying this only implies she has been considered a threat in the government.

“Ang sabi ng Pangulo, kung may ebidensiya ito ay makokonsiderang national threat. So, paanong sasabihin ng Bise Presidente na way back 2023 ay kinokonsidera na siyang isang national threat? Maliban lamang kung iyan mismo ang kaniyang nasa isip at nasa kaniyang puso. Bawat salita ng Pangulo dapat alamin – makinig, hindi puro pang-iintriiga lamang,” Castro said.

Castro also clarified that Marcos did not say that Filipinos must not engage in business ties with China.

Duterte on Monday said that Marcos’ pronouncement may imply that businesses with trade ties with China might also be considered a threat.

“Mayroon bang sinabi ang Pangulo na hindi puwedeng makipagnegosyo ang Pilipinas sa China? Parang wala, so, fake news. Ang pinag-uusapan dito ay ang pakikipag-negotiate sa ibang bansa na ang pondo kung mapapatunayan ay para pondohan ang pamumulitika nila,” Castro said.

“Huwag kalimutan na nandiyan ang Tapat at Malasakit Foundation na diumanong nakatanggap ng P150 million from China. Hindi po ito negosyo maliban lang kung iyong Tapat at Malasakit Foundation ay itinuturing niya ring negosyo,” she added.

“And one more thing, with that statement of the Vice President it means she is really into business with China,” she said.

Castro said there are no prohibitions on trade deals with China, which should also be separate with the discourse on the West Philippine Sea.

“Hindi puwedeng sabihin na dine-demonize ang China. There is no prohibition in dealing with China in relation to trade and investment. Alam naman natin iyan. And we are also dealing with China in a very diplomatic manner,” Castro added.

“So, walang hindi magandang relasyon  sa China, iba naman ang usapan kung ipinaglalaban natin ang  sarili nating teritoryo at ang interes natin sa West Philippine Sea. Magkaiba iyon, huwag pagsamahin. Kung nakikipagnegosyo siya sa China, then prove it,” she said.

Castro also hit Duterte for saying that Philippines in Southeast Asia’s troublemaker, after large volumes of drugs supposedly bound to the Philippines was intercepted in Laos.

“Kahapon lamang ay nag-ulat ang PDEA na ito pala ay papunta sa Mindanao at ang involved dito ay ang Golden Triangle. At sa ating pagsusuri at naitanong, ito bang Golden Triangle ang ibang miyembro ba dito ay may tattoo na dragon?” Castro said. 

Castro questioned why Duterte seemed to only comment about the drug issue today, when several instances of interception of drugs have been already done by government agencies.

“Medyo ito ay nakakapagtaka na sa lahat-lahat po nang nai-intercept na mga iligal na droga ay ito ang tanging … bukod tangi – kung mayroon akong maling nasabi, ako ay inyong ikorek – pero parang ito ang bukod tanging napakabilis na mag-react ng Bise Presidente,” she said.

Castro presented several proof that drugs were likewise intercepted before entering the country.

“So, huwag maliitin ang ginagawa ng gobyerno dahil sa panahon po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. lalung-lalo na ang BOC, PNP, PDEA marami na po na nasabat na ilegal na droga at ito po ay lantad na isinasagawa at walang cover up,” she said.