President Marcos Defends VP Sara’s ‘Silence’ Over South China Sea Issue
April 13, 2024 - According to a news release from the Presidential Communications Office, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. defended Vice President Sara Duterte on her supposed “silence” over the South China Sea issue during a media interview in Washington D.C. on Friday. He assured the Filipino people that they are on the same page in dealing with China and its agenda.
President Marcos stated that Vice President Duterte, who also serves as the Education Secretary, is part of the government, but it’s not her role to discuss matters related to China. He expressed confidence that if Vice President Duterte had any serious misgivings about the country’s foreign policies, she would bring them to his attention.
The President dismissed speculations that the Philippines’ trilateral agreement with the United States and Japan would affect China’s economic influence in the Philippines. He asserted that this agreement is separate from any proposed or potential Chinese investments in the Philippines and does not foresee it affecting these investments.
President Marcos also highlighted the strong trilateral alliance he forged with the US and Japan, which he believes will define the future of the Indo-Pacific under a more robust economic, security, and defense structure.
This news report underscores the President’s commitment to transparency and unity in dealing with international issues and his strategic approach towards maintaining balance in the region.