Teodoro, Pulong Duterte clash over West Philippine Sea policy stance

Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. clarified on Sunday his earlier remark asking public officials to consider stepping down if they refuse to uphold the country’s policy on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), stating that such demands are not based on belief, but rather on violations of law or established regulations. In a statement, Teodoro said that the duty of public officials is clear: to uphold Philippine laws regarding the WPS, particularly Administrative Order (AO) No. 29, series of 2012, which officially named the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago the West Philippine Sea. “Since the AO was issued in pursuance of and under law, it forms part of the law of the land. Public officials are sworn to obey and uphold all laws, rules, and regulations issued in accordance with law,” Teodoro said. He added that if officials cannot support the country's maritime policies, they should challenge them in court instead. “If a public official cannot uphold these, then the duty is clear! Uphold or file an action to declare the rule or law unconstitutional. Until that time there is no option but to uphold the law. If a public official cannot conform to these requisites then the only option is to resign,” Teodoro added. The Defense Secretary further questioned whether critics are opposing the country's position before the United Nations (UN), which oversees international law and maritime agreements, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “Are they opposing this move before the UN? If they do, they must state this clearly and by doing so they will have left a mark in our history and they will be remembered by future generations, our people, soldiers, and most especially they will have never been forgotten in Masinloc, Zambales, where the fishermen are most affected by China's illegal and fabulist activities call home,” Teodoro said. “How will they be remembered? I guess the answer is obvious. Fake news once again has reared its ugly head,” he added. Meanwhile, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte criticized Teodoro’s earlier remarks, arguing that elected officials are chosen by the people, not the defense secretary. "Hey, Gibo, slow down. You didn't choose the elected officials; the Filipino people put them in office. If you have evidence that they are traitors to the country, then file the appropriate charges and present the evidence. Stop repeatedly demanding resignations as if you own the government," Duterte said in Bisaya in a Facebook post. Duterte also brought up Teodoro’s alleged dual citizenship—a claim the Defense Secretary has previously debunked, with the DND confirming that Teodoro renounced his Maltese passport back in 2021. Duterte added that the job of the Defense Secretary isn't to administer "loyalty tests" to elected officials. Information source: GMA News Philippines