Pangilinan, Alan Cayetano clash over Tarriela's use of caricature mocking Xi Jinping

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday figured in a heated exchange over the use by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, of a caricature depicting Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The debate took place ahead of the Senate’s adoption of Proposed Senate Resolution No. 256, which denounces recent statements by the Chinese Embassy in Manila against Filipino government officials who criticized Beijing’s aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea.

During the period of interpellation, Cayetano argued that the resolution should not be adopted if it appeared to support Tarriela’s actions and statements against Chinese officials.

“We cannot pass this resolution saying that Commodore Tarriela is correct because he’s wrong. If he simply stated, ‘I love the Philippines, I will fight for our territory, I’ll fight for our sovereign rights, I will do my duty—but sorry, dahil uminit ang ulo ko, nilabas ko ‘to, pero hindi official ‘yan,’ tapos tayo,” the minority leader said.

Pangilinan, the sponsor of the resolution, disagreed, saying Tarriela was not in the wrong.

“The author of this resolution is saying, puwede. Kung ang official ng Presidente ay may certain decorum sa Presidente ng China, puwede ‘yung isang heneral na hindi sumunod. Ang sa kanya, bastusin natin ang Pangulo ng isang bansa,” Cayetano said.

(The author of the resolution is saying this is acceptable. If officials of the President are expected to observe decorum toward the President of China, it is supposedly acceptable for a general not to follow. What he is saying is that it is acceptable to insult the President of another country.)

Pangilinan countered that Cayetano’s remarks reflected only his personal interpretation.

“Mr. President, we beg to disagree. The Department of National Defense has issued a statement condemning China’s remarks,” Pangilinan said.

Cayetano then said that if Pangilinan’s reasoning were to be followed, his staff could also circulate a meme mocking the senator.

“Mr. President, I am not from China. Why would your staff put out a meme against me? You’re comparing apples and oranges, Mr. President,” Pangilinan replied.

After nearly three hours of debate, the Senate amended the proposed resolution, which had earlier been signed by 15 senators, most of them from the majority bloc.

Following the period of amendments, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri moved for the adoption of the resolution. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III approved the motion without objection.

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

The Senate also condemned the recent public statements issued by the Chinese Embassy, describing them as “contrary to accepted standards of diplomatic conduct and mutual respect between states.”

Lawmakers further affirmed that the Philippines has the sovereign right and responsibility to assert and defend its official positions and national interests in accordance with international law.—MCG, GMA Integrated News