Duterte's Double Speak on South China Sea: A Calculated Gamble for 2028 Sara Duterte Carpio, the Philippines' vice president and likely presidential candidate in 2028, has sparked controversy with her recent shift in stance on the country's South China Sea dispute.
Her calls to "defend sovereignty" over the disputed territories have left analysts questioning her true intentions. At first glance, it seems like a bold move by Duterte Carpio to take a firmer stance against Beijing.
However, closer examination reveals that this is more of a calculated risk than a genuine shift in policy.