Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. stated that a pro-China stance would be politically unsustainable for any candidate in the 2028 elections. He based this assessment on China’s state-owned media’s depiction of Filipinos as monkeys, a deeply offensive portrayal. Teodoro believes it’s improbable that voters would support a candidate openly aligned with a country engaging in such disrespectful behavior. He suggested that such a position would lack credibility with the Filipino electorate. This statement reflects growing concerns over China’s actions in the South China Sea and increasing scrutiny of its public image within the Philippines. The Defense Secretary’s comments signal a firm stance against normalizing relations at the expense of Philippine dignity. It underscores the sensitive nature of China-Philippines relations and its impact on domestic politics.