Duterte siblings' reaction to Teodoro's 'pro-China' remark 'puzzling' — Claire Castro

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday questioned why Vice President Sara Duterte and her brother, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, took issue with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s call for “pro-China” public officials to resign even though he did not name anyone.

At a Palace briefing, Castro also described as “funny” the Vice President’s remark that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. could be considered a “suspect” if Teodoro fails to identify the government officials he considers “pro-China.”

“Ako natawa. Hindi ko alam kung natatawa kayo. For me, nakakatawa kasi ‘yung kanyang mga sinasabi,” Castro told Malacañang reporters.

(I found it funny. I don’t know if you found it funny, too, but for me, what she was saying was funny.)

Castro said the siblings’ reaction was puzzling, suggesting they may have felt alluded to by Teodoro’s remarks.

“Ang nakakapagtaka ay wala naman binanggit si Secretary Gibo kung sino ‘yung mga opisyal na kung kayo ay hindi sang-ayon sa interes ng Pilipinas patungkol sa West Philippine Sea ay kayo ay mag-resign.

(What is puzzling is that Secretary Gibo did not name any officials when he said those who do not support the Philippines’ interests in the West Philippine Sea should resign.)

"Hindi natin alam bakit silang dalawa lamang na magkapatid ang umalma. Minsan kasi pagka ikaw ay natutumbok, kahit hindi ka pinapangalanan, most probably ikaw ay nagre-react,” she added.

(We do not know why only the two siblings objected. Sometimes, when a remark hits close to home, even if you are not named, you are likely to react.)

Last week, Vice President Duterte challenged Teodoro to identify the supposed “pro-China” government officials whom he urged to step down.

Teodoro later clarified that his call for public officials to consider resigning if they refuse to uphold the country’s policy on the West Philippine Sea was not based on their personal beliefs, but on whether they comply with the law and established government policy.

Paolo Duterte, however, criticized Teodoro, arguing that elected officials are chosen by the people, not by the Defense secretary.

He also told Teodoro to stop “demonizing China” and administering what he described as loyalty tests to elected officials.

Malacañang, in turn, questioned Paolo Duterte’s remarks on loyalty to the Philippines, calling them “very alarming” and saying they appeared to suggest that his allegiance to the country was "not solid.” — MCG, GMA News