Malacañang denied allegations that President Rodrigo Duterte became subservient to the interests of China instead of protecting the Philippines’ right over the contested South China Sea. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte is enforcing the Philippines’ landmark victory at The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration which invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims to the South China Sea. “The President is not subservient to China. He is subservient to the interests of the Filipino people,” Panelo said. “The President is precisely enforcing that (constitutional) provision on protecting and serving the people.”

Co, A. S. (2019, July 14). Duterte not subservient to China - Palace. Panay News, pp. 5, 10.