The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte has strongly rejected accusations made by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV regarding alleged financial connections with China. In a statement released on October 3, 2026, Duterte's spokesperson Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr. condemned Trillanes' claims as 'malicious fabrications' and 'exhausted lies' that have been repeated for years. Panelo specifically referenced Trillanes' recent claims that Vice President Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, received P150 million and P319 million respectively from China through their organizations, which Panelo dismissed as fabricated. The spokesperson cited previous instances where Trillanes' accusations were proven false, such as the case of Peter Joemel Advincula ("Bikoy") who accused former President Rodrigo Duterte of drug trafficking but later retracted his claims, admitting Trillanes was behind the plot. Panelo also mentioned lawyer Jude Sabio, who initially filed a case against former President Duterte at the International Criminal Court but later withdrew his case. Panelo emphasized that Trillanes' repeated false claims have led to his political rejection by Filipino voters. The spokesperson criticized the Marcos administration for providing a platform for Trillanes' allegations and noted that Trillanes failed to present these claims under oath during the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte. Trillanes had withdrawn as a witness in the Senate impeachment trial, claiming he would hold a press conference to reveal the information he would have disclosed in court. Panelo argued that Trillanes' sudden withdrawal proves his claims cannot withstand legal scrutiny and are merely 'black propaganda.' The spokesperson also addressed Trillanes' allegations about unreported assets and life insurance in Duterte's Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) from 2007 to 2010, stating that the Vice President would pursue legal action against such fabrications if not for the current administration's protection of those spreading false claims. The statement concludes with Panelo's assertion that the Filipino people have 'rightfully and overwhelmingly rejected Trillanes in every subsequent attempt to get elected back into public office.'

Defense Secretary Gilberto 'Gibo' Teodoro has called on former Senator Antonio Trillanes to submit evidence regarding allegations that Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband Mans Carpio received financial support from the Chinese government. The allegations, made by Trillanes, claim that the couple received hundreds of millions of pesos through the foundation of the Vice President and Carpio's company from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China. Teodoro emphasized that if substantiated, these claims would raise serious national security concerns and urged Trillanes to present his evidence to law enforcement authorities for thorough investigation. The Duterte administration has denied Trillanes' claims, labeling them as 'malicious and fabricated.' Duterte's spokesperson, Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr., stated that the Vice President would consider legal action against Trillanes for these 'endless fabrications.' Panelo also criticized Trillanes for not presenting his claims under oath during the Senate impeachment trial, where his defense team could have cross-examined him. He argued that Trillanes' withdrawal as a witness in the impeachment trial, citing a planned press conference, proves that his claims cannot withstand legal scrutiny and are merely 'black propaganda.' Trillanes was withdrawn as a witness for the prosecution in the Senate impeachment trial of Duterte. He claimed he requested House prosecutors to withdraw him to hold a press conference where he would reveal all information he would have disclosed in the trial. However, the impeachment court spokesperson, Regie Tongol, dismissed Trillanes' claim of being unwelcome in the trial. The controversy has intensified as Trillanes' allegations, if proven, could have significant implications for national security, particularly concerning foreign influence in Philippine politics. The government's response underscores the importance of verifying such claims through proper legal channels before drawing conclusions.