MANILA – Vice President Sara Z. Duterte has expressed her deepest appreciation for the sacrifices made by the country’s uniformed personnel.

“As a reserve officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, I sincerely appreciate the sacrifices made by our uniformed personnel in the service of our national interests,” VP Duterte said during her opening remarks before members of the House Committee on Appropriations.

The Vice President stressed that it is crucial to avoid politicizing sacrifices made by the country’s uniformed personnel just for the sake of media mileage or social media commentary.

“We, in the OVP, continue to do so and have always chosen to do away from the cameras,” VP Duterte added.

Meanwhile, the Vice President stood firm by the Constitutional provision under the 1987 Charter in which, “The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination.”

VP Duterte believes that as Filipinos, we are all in agreement that our claim in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) “is firmly anchored on the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.” The Vice President also noted that bilateral relations are not dictated by a singular issue or concern like a territorial dispute, but rather by a comprehensive approach that considers the broader context of shared interests and regional stability.