Malacañang on Monday stood by Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. after he made a call to public officials who support China’s position on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to consider resigning from their posts.
Teodoro’s remarks ignited a word war with Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, who accused Teodoro of “demonizing China” and acting as though he were imposing a “loyalty test” on elected officials.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said President Marcos saw nothing wrong with Teodoro’s statement, noting that Filipino government officials are expected to put the country’s interests above political differences.
“This should not be a discussion of one’s loyalty. All Filipinos should have their hearts, their convictions, and the causes they fight for centered only on the Philippines,” Castro said.
“The President has said that when it comes to protecting our national interests, political affiliation does not matter. We may have different views on other issues, but love for the country is not something that should be debated,” she added.
Legally bound
In slamming Teodoro, Duterte argued that public officials should not be asked to resign simply because they held a different view on the WPS, and challenged the defense chief to file charges if he believed anyone had violated the law.
The exchange stemmed from Teodoro’s remarks in a forum last week where he said Philippine officials who side with China’s claims in the WPS should consider resigning because they took an oath to uphold the Constitution, the country’s laws, and the Philippines’ victory in the 2016 arbitral ruling.
Teodoro issued a clarification on Sunday, saying he was not calling for officials to resign because of their personal beliefs, but because public officials are legally bound to uphold existing laws and government policies.
The defense chief cited Administrative Order No. 29, signed by then President Benigno Aquino III in 2012, which officially designated the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago as the WPS.
‘Very alarming’
Until such laws are declared unconstitutional, Teodoro said, Philippine officials are duty-bound to uphold them. Otherwise, “the only option is to resign.”
Castro said it was “astonishing” and “very alarming” that Duterte, a Filipino lawmaker, was questioning Teodoro’s defense of the country’s interests.
“It appears that his loyalty to the Philippines is not solid,” she said.
Castro also dared other government officials who shared the same views as the Davao lawmaker, a son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, to come forward, “so Filipinos can see who truly loves the Philippines.”
According to the Palace official, maintaining good diplomatic and economic ties with China should not be confused with the need to defend the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea.
“It is true that we have good relations with China in terms of trade, investment, and business. But that is not the issue,” Castro said. “We cannot equate doing business and maintaining good relations with China with protecting the interests of the Philippines.” INQ
The post Palace: West PH Sea, love of country not up for debate appeared first on Inquirer.net.
