Palace to politicians: Don't let foreigners use you to stay in power

Malacañang on Wednesday urged Filipino politicians not to let foreigners use them just so they could stay in power.

The comment came following Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro’s statement that there was reason to believe that some Filipino politicians may have backing from China.

Without naming names, Castro urged Filipino leaders to remain true to the country’s own national interests.

“Hindi po dapat na magpagamit sa ibang bansa para lang manatili sa puwesto. Mahirap po na ang maging lider natin ay hawak ng ibang bansa dahil ibang naratibo at ibang interes ang palalawigin ng mga politiko na hawak ng ibang bansa,” Castro said.

(One should not allow oneself to be used by another country just to stay in power. It is difficult when a leader is controlled by another country, because that politician will advance the narrative and interest of another country.)

Castro also said that if there were politicians that were backed by China, this would warrant further investigation.

The Palace executive also said that Filipinos should have a united front when it came to issues of sovereignty.

“Hindi po tayo dapat nagkakaroon ng pagkakahiwa-hiwalay ng opinyon at suggestion patungkol sa ating karapatan sa West Philippine Sea o anumang parte ng ating bansa. Dapat nating ipaglaban ang lahat ng interes ng bansa pati na ng taumbayan, ng mga Filipino,” Castro said.

(We should not have fragmented opinions and suggestions about our rights in the West Philippine Sea or any part of the country. We should fight for the interest of the country and the citizens, the Filipinos.) –NB, GMA News