Fifteen senators from across the political spectrum have signed a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate condemning recent public statements made by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China that criticized Philippine officials and institutions for positions taken in defense of national sovereignty and maritime rights.
The measure, introduced by Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III, Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, Erwin T. Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, Raffy T. Tulfo, Win Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Camille A. Villar, Mark A. Villar, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and Manuel “Lito” Lapid affirms that Philippine officials have the sovereign right and duty to speak on matters of national interest in the performance of their official functions.
The resolution stresses that the language used by a Chinese Embassy official, directed at incumbent members of Congress, departs from “the restraint, courtesy, and responsibility expected of diplomatic communications” and runs counter to “the principles of mutual respect and non-interference” among states.
It recalls that the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have already denounced attempts by Chinese officials “to intimidate or malign Philippine defense institutions and personnel” and have vowed not to be “silenced by such actions.”
Citing the Charter of the United Nations and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the resolution notes that the Philippines, as a sovereign state, has the right to assert and defend its positions in accordance with international law and that “the peaceful assertion of sovereign rights…does not characterize aggression or provocation.”
It calls on the Department of Foreign Affairs to take the necessary diplomatic measures to uphold the dignity of the Republic of the Philippines, ensure that relations with other states adhere to international law, and, if needed, “place [the country’s] objections on record and elevate the matter to relevant international fora.”