VICE President Sara Duterte on Thursday, August 6, 2026, called for clarity in statements made by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urging officials allegedly defending China on the West Philippine Sea to resign.
Speaking to reporters after a thanksgiving mass for the Kadayawan Festival at San Pedro Cathedral, Duterte said Teodoro should identify the officials he was referring to.
“Siguro para klaro, sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin dapat pangalanan kung sino yung mga officials na tinutukoy niya (For clarity, to all our countrymen, the officials he is referring to should be named),” Duterte said. “Kasi hindi pwedeng magbitaw ka ng ganoon na salita, hindi mo naman pangalanan yung mga opisyal (You cannot make statements like that without naming the officials involved).”
She warned that the absence of names could lead to speculation even at the highest levels of government.
“At syempre suspect kahit ang Presidente natin, kasali sa suspect doon kasi walang pangalan, walang listahan ng pangalan (Of course, even the President becomes a suspect because there are no names and no list),” she said.
Teodoro earlier said government officials who appear to support or defend China’s position in the West Philippine Sea dispute should consider resigning, stressing that public servants must uphold Philippine sovereignty and the country’s arbitral victory.
The defense chief has been among the administration’s most vocal critics of China’s actions in the disputed waters. His stance comes amid heightened tensions, including sanctions imposed by Beijing that barred him and his family from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and restricted business dealings with Chinese entities.
The remarks drew sharp criticism from the vice president's brother, Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte, who accused Teodoro of “demonizing China” and imposing a “loyalty test” on officials.
The Davao lawmaker questioned the defense chief’s approach, saying that if there is evidence that officials are acting against national interest, proper charges should be filed instead of making sweeping calls for resignation.
He also raised concerns about what he described as attempts to equate differing views on foreign policy with disloyalty to the country.
Malacañang, however, pushed back against the lawmaker’s statements.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro described Paolo Duterte’s remarks as “very alarming,” emphasizing that the issue is not about political alignment but about putting the Philippines first.
Castro also defended Teodoro, saying his position reflects patriotism and a commitment to protecting national sovereignty amid continuing maritime tensions with China.
Gibo declines to name officials
Teodoro on Friday, August 7, 2026, said he will not name government officials he was referring to in his earlier remarks on the West Philippine Sea, stressing that the Department of National Defense follows objective standards and requires strong evidence before identifying individuals.
Responding to Sara’s challenge, Teodoro said the DND’s basis is Administrative Order No. 29, which defines the country’s maritime zones, including areas in the West Philippine Sea.
Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of the 3rd Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Darwin that the DND provides its assessment as a basis for coordination with other government agencies when necessary, but stressed that the department does not identify individuals without sufficient evidence.
“Ang pagnonombra o pagpapangalan sa tao ay hindi namin ginagawa kung walang matibay na ebidensya. Kailan ba namin ginawa ’yan? Alice Guo, Tony Yang, Sanjia,” he said.
The defense chief said protecting operational security, institutional procedures, and the reputation of individuals is necessary to maintain public trust and the confidence of the Philippines’ allies and partners.
Sara slams Castro’s ‘unprofessionalism’
Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte also took issue with Castro’s earlier remarks dismissing as “baseless” her claim that the Marcos administration was aiding the International Criminal Court.
“Claire Castro is a spokesperson of the President and the Office of the President. Hindi ko alam kung kaninong spokesperson siya (I don’t know whose spokesperson she is),” Duterte said.
“By the fact na spokesperson ka at mayroong seal ng Office of the President diyan, dapat maging professional ka sa mga sinasabi mo (But by the fact that you are a spokesperson and you carry the seal of the Office of the President, you should be professional in what you say),” she added.
The Vice President said the Palace official does not have the same liberty as we do to just say "whatever we think or any opinion we have, because we speak for ourselves.”
"Pero kapag may seal sa likod mo, sa harap mo, kung ano yung professionalism na hinihingi galing doon sa opisina na yun, yun dapat ipakita at ibigay mo sa taong bayan (But when you have the seal behind you, you are expected to show the professionalism required by that office and give that to the people),” Duterte said.
The Vice President made the remarks following the thanksgiving mass marking the opening activities of this year’s Kadayawan Festival in Davao City, where she formerly served as city mayor before elevating to the national position in 2022. RGL
