Chinese embassy on funneled funds: False narrative

MANILA, Philippines — Allegations that China funneled funds to a political faction in the Philippines are a “false narrative” and “malicious,” the Chinese embassy in Manila insisted yesterday.

Chinese embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng did not name the Philippine faction and parties involved.

Last Friday, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that a foundation and a company associated with Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio received more than P319 million in funds from the Chinese government and corporate sources.

Ji said the embassy has noted that certain Philippine politicians fabricated and spread a false narrative alleging that China had funneled funds to a political faction in the country, and that the embassy’s website has been maliciously linked to a redirect destination.

“We strongly condemn and firmly oppose such malicious rhetoric and actions. We urge the relevant individuals in the Philippines to stop political manipulation and not to drag Philippine domestic politics into China-Philippines relations,” Ji said.

“Attempts to achieve personal political gains by smearing and discrediting China and harming China’s interests and image are doomed to fail, and will ultimately undermine the interests of the Philippines and its people,” he added.

The embassy, Ji said, will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate interests and dignity.

VP Sara ready

The Vice President is ready to face new charges after Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro urged Trillanes to turn over to authorities evidence relating to his latest allegations.

“She’s not running away from any case. She is facing all accusations. You have seen it. So, if there’s an investigation, then investigate because she’s confident that she’s on the right side,” her spokesman Paolo Panelo said.

Teodoro said Trillanes providing evidence would facilitate a thorough investigation on his latest allegations which, if substantiated, could raise serious implications on national security.

“His allegations are for parlor, not in court. Because in court, we follow rules of admissibility, you need to have personal knowledge, the evidence needs to be credible and clearly, he doesn’t have that. So, instead of appearing here (impeachment court) and being cross-examined by Vice President Sara’s defense team, he just held a press conference,” Panelo said.

Trillanes held a press conference on Friday after being dropped as prosecution witness and alleged that the money entered Cale88 Foods Corp., which he linked to the Vice President’s husband.

He said another P150 million went to the Tapang at Malasakit Foundation, where Duterte was identified as a member of the board of trustees.

Panelo denied that China is funding Duterte.