Palace: VP Sara’s statement mean she is ‘really into business with China’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said Vice President Sara Duterte’s response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier remarks about her alleged China-linked funds appeared to indicate that she may indeed be involved in business dealings with China.

“With that statement of the vice president, it means she is really into business with China,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said at a press briefing on Tuesday, October 13.

The recent exchange of remarks between Malacañang and the vice president started when Marcos commented on claims that Cale88 Foods Corp., a firm linked to Duterte and her husband, lawyer Mans Carpio, received at least P319 million in remittances from China and Hong Kong.

Marcos said on October 11 that the claims about the Chinese money constitute a national security threat “at the highest level” if proven true.

In response, Duterte said in a press briefing on Monday, October 12, during the sidelines of the 91st anniversary celebration of the Office of the Vice President that Marcos’ comment was concerning, especially for Filipino businesses with deals with China, as it implied a prohibition against such deals.

"Parang sinasabi niya na 'yung mga nagnenegosyo o mayroong trade sa China ay threat din sa bansa," Duterte said. "So, ano ba talaga? Bawal ba talaga magnegosyo with China kasi it's a national security risk?"

(It was as if he was saying that those who have business deals or trades with China are also threats to the country. So, what is it? Is it really prohibited to do business with China kasi it's a national security risk?)

‘No prohibitions vs China business deals’

Castro said Duterte should listen first before stirring any controversy, adding that the vice president reacted and responded to Marcos without reviewing his actual statement.

The Palace spokesperson clarified that, based on what the president said, the alleged China-linked funds could only be considered a “threat” once supported by evidence.

“Huwag agad mag-react nang hindi binabasa kung ano mismo ang salita ng pangulo dahil ang iyong magiging mensahe ay pawang kasinungalingan o pawang hindi relevant dahil mali.

"Ang sabi ng pangulo kung may ebidensya, ito ay makukunsiderang national threat — kung,” Castro said, emphasizing the conditional nature of the statement.

(Do not react immediately without reading the actual words of the president because your message will be purely false, or purely irrelevant, because it is wrong. The president said if there’s evidence, it could be considered a national threat — if.)

Castro also stressed that Marcos did not mention anything about banning business deals with China in his comment on the matter, saying the Philippine government itself has diplomatic deals with the country.

“Hindi pwedeng sabihin na dinemonize ang China. There is no prohibition in dealing with China in relation to trade and investment,” Castro said. (They can’t say China was demonized.)