Senators on China’s remarks vs. reso: ‘We will not be silenced’

Senators on Wednesday maintained that they will not be cowed and be silenced after the Chinese Embassy in Manila criticized the resolution the Senate recently adopted which denounced Beijing officials’ remarks against Filipino government officials. 

Senator Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, stressed that it is the right of the Senate to express its position on the matter given that the Philippines is a democratic country. 

“Bakit natin sila pakikinggan? Sino ba sila? As a matter of fact, sana naisip din po nila, they are visitors here in our country,” Tulfo said in an ambush interview. 

(Why should we listen to them? Who are they? As a matter of fact, I hope they also thought that they are visitors here in our country.) 

“At siguro kailangan nilang balikan yung Vienna Convention of 1961. As visitors here, diplomat, dapat po respetuhin ‘yung mga batas ng host country. Ganun din po tayo sa bansa nila, ‘yung ating mga diplomat, they respect their laws,” he added. 

(Maybe they need to revisit the Vienna Convention of 1961. As visitors here, diplomats, they must respect the laws of the host country. It’s the same for us, our diplomats respect their laws.) 

The younger Tulfo said that as the newly elected chairman of the foreign relations panel, he will leave the matter to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) because of the code of conduct. 

To recall, China has condemned Senate Resolution No. 256 as “anti-China” and nothing but a political stunt.

The embassy also alleged that some Philippine legislators repeatedly resort to threats and intimidation against Chinese diplomats, and that they knew “little about how diplomacy works” in criticizing Beijing.

On Tuesday night, Ambassador Jing Quan himself said that Beijing will continue to “firmly” push back against what he called “false narratives” and “misinformation.”

The Senate adopted the resolution on Monday, denouncing recent statements by the Chinese Embassy against Filipino government officials who criticized Beijing’s aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said that the resolution is a “legitimate and appropriate tool” for legislators to express concern over actions that affect Philippine laws, sovereignty, and national interests. 

“We will not be silenced or deterred by statements from foreign actors. We will continue to use lawful instruments, including resolutions, to put these matters on record, kahit isang milyon pa ang pahayag laban dito [even if there are a million criticisms about these]. This is our constitutional duty,” she said in a statement. 

“We are always open to cooperation, exchange, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. However, the Chinese government in Beijing must first demonstrate good faith by ceasing its harassment of our vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” she added. 

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, the sponsor of the resolution, also said that the Chinese Embassy’s “undiplomatic and boorish response” to what the Senate did proved that China “is indeed a bully, has no respect for International law and their acts deserving of condemnation.”

“We will never tolerate nor be cowed by foreigners disrespecting us in our own land,” Pangilinan said. 

He also reiterated the call for the DFA to take the necessary diplomatic measures to uphold the dignity of the Philippines and to ensure that relations with other countries are conducted in accordance with international law and established principles of state relations.

On Wednesday night, Chinese Embassy in Manila spokesperson Ji Lingpeng issued three separate responses to Sotto, Pangilinan, and Hontiveros on their stance that they will not be cowed or silenced.

Ji’s responses to the senators repeatedly stressed that the Chinese Embassy will respond “firmly and without hesitation” to “falsehoods, groundless accusations, attacks, smears, or threats directed at China by any individual or institution.”

“Those who think they can pressure China through statements, resolutions, or endless complaints underestimate us. That approach simply does not work. Those who seek to incite hatred and sabotage China–Philippines relations will not succeed, because we’re watching closely, and will debunk every lie and scheme whenever they arise,” he said.

Ji addressed Sotto’s remarks that the Chinese Embassy is being rude and disrespectful.

“You keep claiming that the Chinese Embassy is trying to silence senators or the senate. No one wants to silence you, and no one should be silenced. The reality is that certain senators have been repeatedly threatening and intimidating foreign embassy, even proposing to declare Chinese diplomats “persona non grata.” So, who is trying to silence the other side?” he said.

As to Pangilinan, Ji said the senator, in condoning the statements of Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, “shows that he has no respect to a millenium-old friendly neighbor and the largest trading partner of the Philippines.”

“Such words and deeds only prove him to be the real bully and deserve of condemnation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ji countered Hontiveros and said no one is silencing her, but criticized her for backing Tarriela who “attacked and smeared China and even the Chinese leader.”

“If a foreign official spokesperson were to insult or attack the Philippine head of state, national heroes, or religious leaders, would you stay silent and pretend nothing happened? If you couldn't tolerate such insult or attack, then stop blaming others' defense,” he said. — BM/JMA, GMA Integrated News