Spokesman defends VP Duterte on 'troublemaker' tag and alleged China funding

Atty. Salvador Paolo Panelo, spokesman for Vice President Sara Duterte, maintained that her recent remarks regarding regional tensions were taken out of context and denied allegations that Beijing has provided political support or financial backing to her camp.

Addressing public criticism over Duterte’s statement—in which she warned that the country was becoming a "troublemaker" in Southeast Asia—Panelo explained that her comment was rooted in a specific illicit drug intercept in Laos bound for the Philippines, rather than an effort to champion Beijing’s interests.

"Ang konteksto noon is 'yung nasabat na illegal drugs sa Laos, 'yung papunta dapat ng Pilipinas... tapos ginamit ito ni Secretary Gibo Teodoro, itong troublemaker na statement ni VP Sara, ginamit niya naman sa anti-China rhetoric niya," Panelo said.

Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. previously countered the Vice President’s remarks, asserting that China—not the Philippines—is the sole actor disrupting peace in the region.

Panelo accused Teodoro of politicizing the issue and warned that escalated diplomatic rhetoric could harm ordinary citizens and domestic businesses reliant on trade ties.

"Kapag ang mga politiko ay pinopolitika itong China issue, ang tatamaan niyan hindi naman sila kundi 'yung mga ordinaryong Pilipino at 'yung mga negosyong umaasa sa ugnayan sa China," he added.

Meanwhile, Panelo rejected claims raised by critics that Duterte and her husband, attorney Manases Carpio, received funds from China. While acknowledging that the Chinese government previously donated to the Tapang at Malasakit Foundation—where Duterte serves as a trustee—Panelo dismissed assertions that humanitarian aid equals political backing.

"May donation ang Chinese government sa Tapang at Malasakit Foundation, and the Vice President is one of the trustees. Awtomatikong agad na sinusuportahan ng Chinese government si Vice President?" Panelo remarked, noting that such contributions were dedicated strictly to public service and charitable activities.