Malacañang on Tuesday said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expected the criticism leveled against him by Vice President Sara Duterte for his foreign policy, particularly the Philippines’ alliance with the United States.

“Yes, the President said we expect that from the Dutertes because they are pro-China and the President is pro-Philippines,” said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro in a briefing.

The Vice President’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, during his term pivoted away from the US with whom the Philippines has traditionally strong ties to foster closer relations with China.

In 2021, the former president downplayed the significance of the 2016 Arbitral Award which invalidated China’s claim to the West Philippine Sea.

“That paper, in reality between nations, it’s nothing. Whoever is the strongest, United States or Britain, they can do whatever they want. We won. When I entered office, the ships that are in the West Philippine Sea, China’s boats, ships, we have nothing,” Duterte had said.

Speaking at a recent event in Australia, Vice President Duterte broke her silence on the country’s current foreign policy, which Marcos has described as being “a friend to all, enemy to none.”

The VP criticized Marcos for allowing the US to position its Typhon missile launchers in the Philippines, a move China has strongly opposed. She said the Philippines should assert the 2016 arbitral award “through diplomatic channels.”

She also said the Philippines should maintain friendly relations with both the US and China, as well as with other countries like Australia.

“So, I do not understand why our independent foreign policy is lost in the discussions. You should be friends with everyone. Do not pick sides,” she told supporters.

Duterte further noted that the dispute in the West Philippine Sea should not define the broader diplomatic relationship between Manila and Beijing.

“That is not an independent foreign policy. 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,” she said.

Marcos recently reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to defending its sovereignty.

“We did not yield. We continue to protect the sovereignty of the republic. We continue to defend the territory of the republic, and we continue to protect and defend the people of the republic,” he said.

He also warned against harassing Filipino fisherfolk within Philippine territory.

“We do not want a fight. But don’t harass our fishermen. Don’t block us in our territory. We’ll really fight for that,” he said, adding that the country will not surrender even “an inch” of its territory.

On multiple occasions, civilian-manned resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippine military outpost grounded at Ayungin Shoal, have faced harassment by Chinese forces.

These include dangerous ramming maneuvers, water cannon attacks, and the use of loud piercing acoustic devices by the China Coast Guard, the People’s Liberation Army Navy, and maritime militia vessels.

The Philippines has filed hundreds of diplomatic protests with China over these aggressive actions.