Senators sign measure slamming China’s attacks vs PH officials

Fifteen senators have signed a proposed resolution denouncing the recent statements of the Chinese Embassy in Manila against certain Filipino government officials who criticized Beijing’s aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea.

In the unnumbered draft resolution, the senators called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to take the necessary diplomatic measures to uphold the dignity of the Philippines and to ensure that relations with other states are conducted in accordance with international law and established principles of state relations. 

The senators condemned the recent public statements issued by the Chinese Embassy, which they described as “contrary to accepted standards of diplomatic conduct and mutual respect between states.”

They also affirmed that the Philippines has the sovereign right and responsibility to present, assert, and defend its officials positions and national interests, in accordance with international law. 

The following senators signed the draft resolution:

• Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III
• Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
• Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri
• Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan
• Risa Hontiveros
• Erwin Tulfo 
• Raffy Tulfo
• Sherwin Gatchalian
• Loren Legarda
• JV Ejercito
• Jinggoy Estrada
• Bam Aquino
• Lito Lapid
• Camille Villar
• Mark Villar 

In a manifestation during Monday’s plenary session, Pangilinan called on the House of Representatives to issue a similar statement and adopt the resolution. 

“Now is the time for the country – the Executive, the Legislative branches of government to unite behind what I believe to be a bullying of a super power. And I believe the only way to deal with the bully is to stand up to it,” Pangilinan said. 

China earlier lodged diplomatic protests against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela over social media posts against its leaders.

Tarriela, on the other hand, maintained that his statements were based on “factual accounts.”

On Monday, Malacañang said it is standing by Filipino government officials who have been targeted by China for pushing back against its false assertions in the West Philippine Sea. 

The Department of National Defense (DND) and the National Security Council (NSC) have also condemned China’s remarks.

The DFA, meanwhile, also lodged a diplomatic protest against China’s attacks on Filipino officials. 

No right to silence Filipinos

In a privilege speech at the Senate, Hontiveros emphasized that foreigners have no right to silence the Filipinos on Philippine soil.

“The Embassy has clearly violated Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which mandates that foreign envoys must not interfere in the internal affairs of their host state. Censuring a Filipino official’s internal discourse constitutes a breach of this protocol,” Hontiveros said. 

“Hindi nila pwedeng sabihin kung paano tayo dapat mag-isip at mamuna, lalo na kapag ang pinag-uusapan ay ang interes ng bayan, at teritoryo natin. No embassy gets to decide who among Filipino officials is ‘qualified’ to speak on Philippine interests,” she added. 

(They cannot tell us how we should think and criticize, especially when we are tackling the interest of the nation and our territory. No embassy gets to decide who among Filipino officials is ‘qualified’ to speak on Philippine interests.)

Senators Robin Padilla and Rodante Marcoleta – who both did not sign the draft resolution – expressed different opinions on the matter.

Marcoleta claimed that Tarriela has not been consulting the DFA regarding his statements against China.

“Sa totoo lang, sa tantya ko nung naguusap kami, ayaw din ng DFA ‘yung ginagawa ni Ginoong Tarriela. Nahihirapan nga po sila, ‘yun ang pagkakasabi sa’kin… Imbes na makatulong sa kanilang gawain at sa kanilang responsibilidad,” the neophyte senator said. 

(Honestly, in my opinion when I talked with the DFA, it seems that they don’t like what Mr. Tarriela is doing. They are having a hard time, that's what I was told... Instead of him being able to help them in their work and in their responsibility.) 

Marcoleta said he had a conversation with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan and discussed possible cooperation between the Philippines and China. 

Meanwhile, Padilla stressed that while he also opposes the Chinese Embassy’s statements and attacks against the Philippines, it is also not proper for Tarriela to supposedly insult Chinese officials, particularly Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“Hindi rin naman po tama na ang isang opisyal natin sa gobyerno na isang unipirmado pa, ay gagawa ng katatawanan o caricature ng isang Presidente ng China… Kung ‘yan ay ginawa ng China sa ating Pangulo na si Bongbong Marcos, ako’y oposisyon pero kung gagawin nila ‘yan kay Bongbong, eh unang una akong magagalit sapagkat hindi ako papayag na babuyin ng kahit na sino ang Pangulo ng Pilipinas,” Padilla said. 

(It is also not right that one of our government officials, who is a uniformed officer, would mock or make a caricature of the President of China... If China does that to our President, Bongbong Marcos, I am in the opposition but if they do that to Bongbong, I will be the first to get angry because I would not allow anyone to make fun of the President of the Philippines.)

He then asked Tarriela not to repeat his supposed mocking of Xi. 

“Sapagkat ‘pag nambastos ka eh babastusin ka rin talaga. Wala po tayong magagawa sapagkat duty ng kahit na sino na ipagtanggol ang kanilang Pangulo,” he added.

(If you are insulting others, they will also insult you. There is nothing we can do because it is the duty of anyone to defend their President.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News