‘This Is Worrying,’ VP Duterte Reacts As Marcos Says Her Alleged Link To Chinese Funds ‘A Threat At The Highest Level To The Republic’

Instead of explaining her alleged ties to Chinese money, Vice President Sara Duterte claimed she was being targeted by the administration, and has been considered a “threat” by President Marcos since 2023.

Marcos over the weekend said it could be a national security threat “at the highest level” if the company linked to Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, indeed received funds from China.

“It’s worrying that such a statement would come from (Bongbong Marcos) because it seems like he has admitted that since 2023 they have considered me a threat. This is worrying because he is saying that the Vice President is a threat to the country,” Duterte said at a press conference on Monday, Oct. 12.

She added that Marcos’ statement has serious implications on her security and the security of the Philippines.

Marcos has ordered an investigation after an Anti-Money Laundering Council report exposed remittances from China to Cale88 Foods Corp., a firm linked to Carpio, who held a substantial 47.5 percent stake.

“Marcos‘ statement clearly states that for him, doing business with China is a threat to the security of the Philippines. This carries the connotation of a warning to Filipino businessmen doing business in China,” she said.

“And above all, the statement explicitly accuses China of interfering in the internal affairs of the Philippines. Although it lacks sufficient justification, it is a bold and dangerous challenge to China – a country with a long history of relations with the Philippines. This is serious. And it could have a serious impact on our relationship with China,” she added.

Duterte and members of her family, including detained former president Rodrigo Duterte, have always been perceived to be soft on China, particularly on the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.

In Singapore on Sunday, Oct. 11, the President said the allegation linking the Vice President to Chinese funds is “a threat at the highest level to the Republic” as he denied involvement in supposed efforts to besmirch her name.

In a media interview, Marcos said the “most disturbing” aspect of the accusations against Duterte is the Chinese money, which was reportedly remitted to companies linked to Duterte.

“That now rises to a national security issue if true. If it is true, it is a national security issue. That’s why the DND (Department of National Defense) responded and they said, we have to look into this. That’s right. That's part of their duty because national security is involved if it is true,” the President said. 

“Nothing would make me happier than proof that it is not true. Then it’s one less thing that I have to worry about. But if it is true, it is a threat at the highest level to the Republic.”

Last week, Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura told the impeachment court that Cale88 Foods Corporation, a firm linked to Duterte’s husband got P319 million from China and Hong Kong.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros also claimed that the money remitted to Cale88 came from Chinese-state owned enterprises. The National Security Council has vowed to investigate transactions involving "significant foreign financial flows" that may have an implication on the Philippines' security.

Asked if he has spoken to Chinese officials about the issue, Marcos said he does not want to speculate "because it is such a serious subject."

“But what we are doing is thoroughly investigating this matter, the allegation. Like I said, kung totoo, it's very, very serious. It’s very serious. If not true, then good. Then that’s one less thing we all need to worry about. But if it’s true, it would be, unfortunately, one more thing that we would have to worry about and it would go straight to the top of our list of threats that are facing the Philippines,” he said. 

“We are talking about the sovereignty of the Republic. We are talking about the safety and security of the state. And I cannot think of any discussion that occurs at a higher level than that. That's the way we are approaching it.”

Marcos also refuted Duterte’s claim that he is behind the allegations against her, saying he is focused on performing his mandate. He added that he is not following her impeachment trial because he has a lot of work to do.

“I don't really know anymore who’s saying what, what is saying whom, who's saying what. It's really not important to me. What's important to me is that I get the job done. That the work that I put, that I set for myself is actually finished,” the Chief Executive said.

Marcos also described as “fake news” Duterte’s accusations against him, saying claims should be backed by proof.

“Prove it. Based on what? Based on what? You're saying that based on what? Based on what? You know, I can't say to somebody, ‘you’re a mass murderer. You killed 20,000 Filipinos.’ But I have to prove it,” he added.