MANILA, Philippines — The ban imposed by China against Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. does not affect the discharge of his duties as chief of the Department of National Defense (DND), Malacañang insisted on Tuesday.
Although the Palace defers the issue to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Philippine government has its own laws over its officials.
“China has its own laws, they have their own policies. The Philippines is the same,” Castro said in Filipino.
“Secretary Guibo as defense secretary is only performing his duties, according to his mandate which is in accordance with the law, in accordance with the Constitution, and in accordance with the administration's policies,” she added.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently announced the order barring Teodoro and members of his immediate family from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau after he “repeatedly made erroneous remarks concerning China”.
“Organizations and individuals in China” were likewise directed not to “engage in any transaction, cooperation or other activities with him and his spouse and child”.
Teodoro, in response, said that while he wants the Philippines and China to have harmonious defense relations, he will not agree to the Chinese government’s aggressive and one-sided policies as he deems this treasonous.
