Rep. Duterte tells group to ask WPS questions from DFA, DND, not from VP

Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte (File photo from the official Facebook page of the City Government of Davao)

MANILA, Philippines—Questions on China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) should be asked by government agencies responsible for the country’s foreign policy and external defense, not by Vice President Sara Duterte.

Her brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, said on Wednesday.

Rep. Duterte made the statement in response to questions from Akbayan party-list as to why the Vice President remains silent on issues involving China’s harassment of Filipino vessels and the Philippine Coast Guard.

According to the lawmaker, the country’s foreign policy is handled by the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), not the Department of Education, which Vice President Duterte heads.

“The question on the actions of Chinese vessels in the WPS should be directed to the chief architect of foreign policy, the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs,” he said.

“It is not the job of the Vice President or the Secretary of the Department of Education to demonize China or any country for that matter. We can see this task is your assignment,” he added.

READ: Sara Duterte’s ‘silence’ on China’s hostility in West PH Sea hit 

On Tuesday, Akbayan party head Rafaela David called out the Vice President for her supposed “deafening silence” on issues involving Chinese intrusion in the WPS, contrasting it to Duterte’s statements in defense of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy.

The Vice President recently defended Quiboloy from different accusations, calling the hearings conducted by two congressional panels a trial by publicity.

She also attended a prayer rally in support of Quiboloy.

READ: Sara Duterte says probe vs Quiboloy is ‘trial by publicity’ 

Quiboloy faced questions at the House of Representatives regarding the ownership of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), as lawmakers believe he is involved in the day-to-day operations of the media outfit.

At the Senate, the pastor was accused of being a child trafficker and a sex offender.

Quiboloy denied both issues.

He also did not attend any of the panels’ hearings.

READ: VP Sara attends pro-Quiboloy rally, slams those ‘oppressing’ SMNI 

David said it’s “bewildering” how Duterte “can find the time and energy to defend a disgraced figure like Quiboloy, yet [she can remain] eerily silent when our own countrymen and women are under attack by a foreign aggressor.”

Rep. Duterte urged the Vice President’s critics to use Holy Week to reflect on why people “nail everything” to her sister.

“As we pause and pray this holy week and reflect on the savior Jesus Christ as he is nailed to the cross, we shall also reflect on why you nail everything to the Vice President. And we fervently hope that your words are not part of the reason why there is action in the WPS,” Rep. Duterte said.

“Let us all pray for a peaceful holy week for our beloved country that is not disrupted by press propaganda of Akbayan. Daghang Salamat (Thank you very much),” he added.