Sara Duterte spox on alleged China money: What if it was used for classrooms?

Accusations that Vice President Sara Duterte has links to China because she allegedly received funds from the Chinese are without basis, her spokesman said on Monday.

Atty. Paolo Panelo said this after the prosecution in Duterte's impeachment trial offered evidence that she allegedly received funds from China, an allegation former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV made at a press conference on Friday.

"May donation ng Chinese government sa Tapangin at Malasakit [Foundation], and the Vice President is one of the trustees. Awtomatikong agad na sinusuportahan ng Chinese government si Vice President?" Panelo said.

"What if it was used to build classrooms? Or what if it was used for charitable purposes at may resibo?" he added.

Panelo said there are rules on the admissibility of evidence, and this is why Trillanes opted to hold a press conference instead of testifying in the impeachment court.

"To jump to a conclusion as Senator Trillanes did, na this proves na sinusuportahan ng China si Vice President at parang malaking national security concern yan dahil vice president, walang basehan yan, eh," Panelo said.

"Kaya kailangan dumaan talaga dito sa impeachment court. Kaya tayo may rules of evidence, kaya tayo may rule of law," he added.

Defense Secretary Giberto "Gibo" Teodoro, over the weekend, asked Trillanes to submit evidence as regards the alleged ties between China and the Vice President because of national security concerns.

"Wala naman siyang tinatakbuhan na kahit anong kaso. Di naharap niya naman lahat. Nakita niya naman. So, kung merong investigation, eh di mag-investigate kasi confident siya na nasa tama siya," Panelo said. –NB, GMA News