Sara Duterte to follow national gov’t direction amid Ukraine-Russia conflict

MANILA, Philippines — While believing that her stand on the conflict between Ukraine and Russia “doesn’t really matter” for now as she is a local chief executive, vice presidential candidate Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio said Tuesday she will heed the direction of the national government on the matter.

Duterte-Carpio made the remark after the Philippines voted in favor of a United Nations resolution expressing “explicit condemnation” of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Hours before this vote, Duterte-Carpio said the Philippines should be “neutral” and only make a stand if its “interest is at risk” amid the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

“Sinagot ko siya in a hypothetical manner din. I am not a president or a vice president so it doesn’t really matter kung ano yung stand ko sa ngayon because I am not a part of the national government,” Duterte-Carpio told reporters in Pasay City.

Asked if she supports the government’s vote against Ukraine, Duterte-Carpio said that as a local government official, she will follow the direction of the national government.

“Sa akin naman, as a local chief executive, and as a local government official, we follow kung ano yung direction, all of us will follow kung ano yung direction ng national government,” Duterte-Carpio said.

In voting to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Philippines also appealed for the “protection of civilians and civilian infrastructures.”

READ: PH backs UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

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