TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
No Result
View All Result
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

Duterte’s anti-China statements are just for optics, and this could result in his party’s ouster in the next elections

Akshay Narang by Akshay Narang
May 2, 2021
in Indo-Pacific
Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, Beijing, Manila, China, Vicente Sotto III

[PC:ChinaPlus]

Share on FacebookShare on X

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte loves to switch between big powers. Sometimes, he acts as a US ally and at times, Duterte warms up completely to Manila’s South China Sea rival- Beijing. Throughout his Presidential tenure, Duterte kept flip-flopping between China and the US. Duterte is ineligible for re-election because the incumbent President is term-limited by the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Yet, his flip flops can definitely turn costly for his party.

Duterte administration does make anti-China statements, but it is usually limited to mere lip service. Such remarks are usually supposed to serve as optics whenever Chinese vessels intrude into Filipino waters. But in reality, Duterte does intend to keep his China ‘pivot’ alive. However, Duterte’s behaviour is going to pose problems for his party- PDP Laban during the 2022 Presidential polls.

Also Read

Putin’s show of strength, as global leaders gather for Victory Day Parade

China Loosens Monetary Policy to Brace for New Trade War Front

Global Tensions Rise as Arctic Resource Race Escalates

Of late, Chinese maritime militias have been flexing their muscles in the Filipino waters near the Whitsun Reef. Some Duterte administration officials have chastised China for its illegal actions and tough remarks have been exchanged between Beijing and Manila. Yet, Duterte shows signs of warming up to China at any given time and this is now turning into an embarrassing situation for Duterte’s PDP- Laban.

Duterte remains reluctant in confronting China over the South China Sea conflict. In fact, he shows signs of giving up rather easily. He said, “China is a good friend. We owe them a debt of gratitude—a lot, including our vaccines.” Continuing his defeatist remarks, Duterte added, “So China, let it be known, is a good friend, and we don’t want trouble with them, especially a war.”

Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, Beijing, Manila, China, Vicente Sotto III
[PC:Forbes]
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, whose party is in alliance with Duterte’s PDP Laban, said that the word “condemning” should not be used for denouncing illegal Chinese maritime activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Sotto’s shocking remarks were made in reference to a resolution signed by 11 Filipino Senators accusing Beijing of “creeping hegemony” in the South China Sea.

The resolution read, “While China’s increasing dominance as regional and world power cannot be denied, its open and serious contempt of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as its expansion of influence in the area at the expense of legitimate interests and legally recognised maritime entitlements of smaller nations like the Philippines, must be firmly resisted and denounced and the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration Award vigorously asserted.”

However, Sotto said, “Some of us will support the resolution but with amendments. For example, the resolution is supporting the positions of the DFA and the DND. Those words are acceptable, but we will still study the use of the word “condemning” because you cannot use that word on a friend.”

The Senate President added, “China is our trading partner. If possible, we should not use those strong words because we can say that we support the positions of DFA and DND instead. We should be careful in using words.”

However, the apologetic and defeatist remarks from Duterte and Sotto are snowballing into a major political issue in the Philippines. The opposition parties have slammed the Duterte administration for its friendly overtures towards China.

Read More: After testing the waters with Senkaku, Open Fire Law and Philippines and being sure about an indifferent USA, China is going for Taiwan

Opposition Senator Leila de Lima said, “While everyone in the world, including China’s own generals, are warning (President) Xi Jinping that he is overstretching in confronting the US and the Philippines in the South China Sea, Taiwan in the Straits, and Japan in the East China Sea, all at the same time and without any ally or friend whatsoever (except Duterte), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) still thinks it is worth it to continue to support Duterte’s policy of grovelling before China.”

China is blatantly violating Manila’s maritime sovereignty, and in such cases, apologetic comments underscoring ‘gratitude towards China’ or trading relations between the Philippines and China seem rather misplaced. Duterte’s flip flops have gone a bit too far, with China literally looking to chip away with Filipino sovereignty. Duterte may be ineligible to contest the next Presidential polls, but his remarks are definitely going to hurt PDP Laban.

Tags: BeijingChinaManilaPhilippinesRodrigo DuterteShort takesVicente Sotto III
ShareTweetSend
Akshay Narang

Akshay Narang

Patriot, Political Analyst, International Relations expert

Also Read

North Korea successfully test-fires surface-to-air missile

North Korea successfully test-fires surface-to-air missile, as South Korea and the United States conduct joint military drills

March 22, 2025
A New Alliance in Making, Philippines invites India to Join 'Squad'

Philippines invites India and South Korea to Join ‘Squad’ to deter Chinese Influence in its region

March 21, 2025
China Response to US Accusations on Fentanyl Trade

“US should say thank you”: China Rejects US Accusations on Fentanyl Trade

March 13, 2025
Chinese experimented how to destroy Starlink satelite in is orbit

China readies tech to blow up Musk’s Starlink satellites

January 16, 2025
China Unveils Aspiring Plan for Space-Based Solar Power Stations

China unveils ambitious plans for space-based solar power station

January 13, 2025
Xi Jinping declares, no one can stop China’s reunification with Taiwan

Xi Jinping declares, no one can stop China’s reunification with Taiwan

January 1, 2025
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobalTFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • TFIPOST – English
  • TFIPOST हिन्दी
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.