Tolentino to DFA: Summon Chinese embassy officials over statement vs senators

Senator Francis Tolentino has called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to summon the officials of the Chinese Embassy in Manila for their statements against lawmakers. 

“I call the attention of the DFA. Review your [Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations]. Puwedeng i-summon si spokesman, ambassador,” Tolentino said at Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum Wednesday.

(I call the attention of the DFA. Review the Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The spokesperson and ambassador can be summoned.)

“Bakit pinakikialaman ninyo na itong debate sa Senado…Nakialam na doon sa pinagsasasabi ng ating mga senador. They should respect the Senate as an institution. They should respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state, which is the Philippines, as part of the [Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations],” he added.

(Why are you meddling with Senate debates…They are interfering in what our senators were saying. They should respect the Senate as an institution. They should respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state, which is the Philippines, as part of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.)

Under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations: 

• “The receiving State may at any time and without having to explain its decision, notify the sending State that the head of the mission or any member of the diplomatic staff of the mission is persona non grata or that any other member of the staff of the mission is not acceptable. 
• “In any such case, the sending State shall, as appropriate, either recall the person concerned or terminate his functions with the mission. A person may be declared non grata or not acceptable before arriving in the territory of the receiving State.”
• “If the sending State refuses or fails within a reasonable period to carry out its obligations under paragraph 1 of this article, the receiving State may refuse to recognize the person concerned as member of the mission.”

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Chinese embassy about the matter but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

Earlier, China condemned the Philippine Senate’s Resolution No. 256, which criticized remarks by the Chinese Embassy in Manila against Filipino officials who challenged Beijing’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.

“We firmly reject and strongly condemn the said anti-China resolution. Some Philippine legislators repeatedly resort to threats and intimidation against Chinese diplomats,” Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said.

“They claim to represent public opinion but actually twist facts and mislead the public. The said Senate resolution is nothing but a political stunt,” he added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News