SENATOR Risa Hontiveros yesterday said the Senate will not be intimidated by what she described as disrespectful remarks from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines following the chamber’s adoption of a resolution criticizing embassy statements against Philippine officials and institutions.
Hontiveros said a Senate 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,” she said.
She stressed that lawmakers will continue to use lawful instruments, including resolutions, to place these matters on record as part of their constitutional duty.
“Kahit isang milyon pa ang pahayag laban dito,” she added.
Hontiveros said the real issue facing the country is not the exchange of statements but the situation in the West Philippine Sea, citing what she described as coercive behavior by Chinese maritime forces.
She pointed to incidents involving water cannoning of Filipino fisherfolk, obstruction of freedom of navigation within the country’s exclusive economic zone, and ramming of Philippine vessels.
She said the Philippines remains open to cooperation, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, but stressed that the Chinese government must first demonstrate good faith by ceasing what she described as harassment of Philippine vessels.
The senator also warned Filipinos to be vigilant against what she called fake and misleading narratives, particularly on social media. She said foreign propaganda efforts are as brazen as actions in Philippine waters and urged the public not to allow external forces to sow division in the country.
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said the embassy spokesperson’s remarks appeared aimed at silencing the Senate by branding senators as hypocritical and ignorant and dismissing the resolution as a mere political stunt.
He said respect should be mutual, adding that it was contradictory to complain of intimidation while issuing statements that were disrespectful to the chamber.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said the embassy’s response was undiplomatic and violated established norms under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. He said the remarks only reinforced perceptions of China as acting like a bully and showing no respect for international law.
Pangilinan said the Senate will not tolerate foreigners disrespecting Filipinos in their own land and reiterated his call on the Department of Foreign Affairs to take the necessary diplomatic steps to uphold the dignity of the Republic of the Philippines and ensure that relations with other states are conducted in accordance with international law.
Hontiveros also renewed her call for the immediate passage of the West Philippine Sea Mandatory Education bill she authored in the 20th Congress, saying a well-informed public remains the country’s strongest defense against foreign information manipulation. She ended her statement by greeting those celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year, wishing prosperity and peace grounded in mutual respect and adherence to international law.
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