Sara Duterte Faces Criticism Over Pro-China Remarks

According to the Office of the Vice President, Vice President Sara Duterte returned to the Philippines on Tuesday afternoon after meeting with the Filipino community in Melbourne, Australia, over the weekend.

During her Melbourne visit, Duterte joined the “Free Duterte Now” rally at Parliament Gardens on Sunday. She encouraged Filipinos to urge the Australian government to advocate for the release of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained in The Netherlands awaiting trial for alleged crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Her speech drew attention as she criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration for what she described as an overly pro-U.S. foreign policy stance, suggesting a more balanced approach toward China.

“Our problem in the West Philippine Sea does not make up our entire relations with China. And so therefore there is no reason for you to lean towards the US. You have to always stay in the middle because you are not a part of the bigger conflict. You always stay in the middle. You are friends with the US, yes? You are friends with China, yes. And why not?” Duterte stated.

Her remarks sparked immediate criticism from Stratbase, a prominent think tank, which accused the vice president of downplaying China's repeated violations of Philippine sovereignty and inadvertently echoing Beijing’s narratives.

Stratbase President Dindo Manhit strongly countered Duterte’s statements, asserting that her position undermines the significant 2016 Arbitral Award rejecting China's territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea.

“By undermining the Philippines’ rightful position under international law — most notably the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award which invalidated China’s expansive claims — Vice President Duterte’s remarks serve not the Filipino people, but the strategic interests of a foreign power actively engaged in the militarization and illegal occupation of Philippine maritime territory,” Manhit emphasized.

Manhit further clarified that the current administration, rather than favoring any geopolitical bloc, actively pursues principled diplomacy anchored in international law and multilateral cooperation to strengthen national defense and global standing.

“To question these partnerships, while remaining silent on China’s coercive actions — its illegal incursions, the harassment of Filipino fishermen, the ramming of Philippine vessels, and the water cannon attacks on resupply missions — betrays the trust of every Filipino who supported her and expected her to stand firmly in defense of the country’s sovereignty and the welfare of our people,” Manhit added.

In related developments, the spokesperson for the House prosecution team managing the impeachment trial against Vice President Duterte clarified that no constitutional rules regarding impeachment procedures were breached. Antonio Bucoy explained that impeachment initiation occurs upon endorsement to the House Committee on Justice, which did not transpire with the initial three impeachment complaints. This clarification followed Duterte’s appeal to dismiss the impeachment complaint against her based on constitutional grounds.