VP’s Chinese gov’t ‘funding’ national security threat, says PBBM
The President’s remarks follow evidence presented by prosecutors during ongoing impeachment hearings against the Vice President.
SINGAPORE — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Sunday that national security authorities are thoroughly investigating allegations that Vice President Sara Duterte received funds from the Chinese government, describing the claims raised during legislative impeachment proceedings as a severe matter of state sovereignty.
Speaking during a media forum with Philippine reporters, Marcos stressed that while the administration avoids speculating on unverified claims, the nature of the allegations demands a formal intelligence review.
“We don’t want to speculate and waste time on rumors. But what we are doing is we are thoroughly investigating this matter, the allegation,” Marcos said. “If it’s real, then it’s very serious. If not, well and good, that’s one less thing that we all need to worry about.”
The President’s remarks follow evidence presented by prosecutors during ongoing impeachment hearings against the Vice President.
Prosecution panel members introduced Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records indicating that roughly P4.4 billion moved through bank accounts associated with Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, between 2007 and 2025.
Prosecution financial summaries also detailed more than P5.3 billion in covered and suspicious transactions across 15 corporate entities linked to the couple.
Among those entities, Cale88 Foods Corporation — a business listed in Duterte’s 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) — allegedly received approximately P319 million in wire transfers originating from mainland China and Hong Kong.
Marcos underscored that verified foreign financial intervention in domestic political leadership would represent an unprecedented breach of national integrity.
“If it’s true, that is one thing that we have to worry about,” Marcos said. “It would go straight to the top of our list of threats that are facing the Philippines. We are talking about the sovereignty of the Republic. We are talking about the safety and security of the state.”
Addressing separate accusations from the Vice President alleging that Malacañang orchestrated the impeachment proceedings and financial disclosures to undermine her office, Marcos dismissed the claims and challenged Duterte to present verifiable evidence.
“She said blah, blah... then prove it,” Marcos said, rejecting claims that his office sought to alter the constitution or postpone elections. “You’re saying that based on what? I can say to somebody, ‘You’re a mass murderer, you killed 20,000 Filipinos.’ I have to prove it.”