Anti-war advocate Herman Tiu Laurel criticized the administration’s national security messaging, asserting that linking Chinese business interests to the Duterte family harms bilateral economic relations and distracts from pressing domestic issues.
Laurel noted that commercial ties with Chinese enterprises extend broadly across Philippine commerce and online platforms utilized by local consumers.
He argued that foreign policy controversies are being leveraged to divert public attention from national debt accumulation, water infrastructure shortages, and broader economic challenges.
