The Senate yesterday adopted Resolution 37 expressing the sense of the Senate in condemning recent public statements issued by the Chinese Embassy that criticized Philippine officials and institutions over their positions on national sovereignty and maritime rights.
In the adopted measure, 15 senators said the language used by a Chinese Embassy official departed from the restraint and courtesy expected in diplomatic exchanges and ran counter to principles of mutual respect and noninterference among states.
The measure, principally authored by Senator Francis Pangilinan as SRN 256, also reaffirmed the Philippines’ sovereign right to assert and defend its claims in accordance with international law.
“The West Philippine Sea is ours. We stand behind our men in uniform, we oppose, and we condemn the lies, the disinformation, and the maligning being undertaken by China against senators, congressmen, against our men in uniform,” Pangilinan said.
During plenary deliberations, Pangilinan responded to questions from colleagues and introduced amendments incorporating statements from the Chinese Embassy as well as related responses from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Defense.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta separately addressed the chamber to reject allegations that he supports abandoning the country’s claim over the Kalayaan Island Group.
“In diplomacy it’s not a zero-sum game. It’s a continuous dialogue, continuous communication. This issue is complex,” he said.
“We should simplify the issue so people understand that there is no divide and rule and that we are not neglecting our responsibilities. When it comes to the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, our position is the same. It belongs to us, but our approach may differ,” the lawmaker explained.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, meanwhile, emphasized the need for disciplined foreign policy and constructive engagement, drawing on his experience as a former foreign affairs secretary.
Cayetano said diplomacy requires sustained dialogue and careful communication, particularly on complex territorial disputes, while upholding the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea.
The resolution faced objections from some minority lawmakers during days of floor debates before being approved without objection following nearly three hours of interpellation on Monday.
The resolution noted that the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines had already denounced attempts by Chinese officials to intimidate or malign Philippine defense institutions and personnel.
It also called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to undertake appropriate diplomatic steps to uphold the country’s dignity, formally register objections when necessary and elevate the matter to relevant international forums if warranted.
Lawmakers cited the United Nations Charter and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in stressing that the peaceful assertion of sovereign rights does not constitute aggression or provocation.
The resolution, with no objections, was signed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Francis Pangilinan, Sen. Erwin Tulfo, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. JV Ejercito, Sen. Bam Aquino, Sen. Camille Villar, Sen. Mark Villar, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Lito Lapid.
