Malacañang on Monday said First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos’ appearance at a concert by world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang attended by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan does not reflect government policy and should not be linked to diplomatic decisions, amid renewed calls by some lawmakers to declare the envoy persona non grata.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the First Lady’s participation in public events is not a statement of foreign policy and does not alter the administration’s diplomatic stance.
“Kung dumalo man ang ating Unang Ginang sa mga public consular events, hindi po ito nag-re-reflect ng policy direction at hindi po ito na-li-link sa anumang diplomatic matters,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
(Even if the First Lady attends public consular events, this does not
reflect policy direction and it is not linked to any diplomatic matters.)
The issue resurfaced after a photo circulated showing the First Lady with the Chinese ambassador a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejected calls to declare the envoy persona non grata over remarks that drew criticism from some senators and other officials.
Castro stressed that lawmakers are aware the authority to declare a foreign diplomat persona non grata rests with the President, adding that there is no political impasse between the executive and legislative branches.
“Alam naman po ng mga mambabatas na ang Pangulo po ang siyang mayroong authority kung magpapa-declare man ng isang tao ng (Lawmakers know that the President has the authority to declare someone a) persona non grata,” she said.
“Wala pong masasabi na political impasse (There is no political impasse to speak of),” Castro added.
She noted that Congress is free to pursue its own resolutions and discussions on the matter, but said the President and the Department of Foreign Affairs remain committed to diplomacy in dealing with China.
“Sa Pangulo po, alam po natin na ang polisiya po ng Pangulo at ng DFA ay maganda pong pag-uusap, diplomasya para sa mga ganitong usapin sa bansang China,” Castro said.
(Mr. President, we know that the policy of the President and the DFA is to have constructive dialogue, diplomacy for these issues with the country China.)
Asked about a social media post by the Chinese ambassador describing his conversation with the First Lady as “pleasant,” Castro said the Palace has no details of the discussion.
“Hindi po tayo kasama sa nasabing affair. Kung ano po ang napag-usapan nila ay wala po tayong personal knowledge (We are not part of the said affair. We have no personal knowledge on what they discussed),” she said, adding that no briefing on the conversation has been relayed to the Palace.
Castro said China is aware of the Mr. Marcos administration’s preference for diplomatic engagement, suggesting this approach could help ease tensions.
