By imposing sanctions on the Philippine Secretary of National Defense, China is striking at the sovereign decisions of the Republic of the Philippines. As a Cabinet official and the President’s alter ego on defense and security, Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro articulates and implements national policy. Punishing him and his family for doing so is a direct affront not only to him, but to the President, the Philippine state, and our constitutional order.
This marks a clear escalation in China’s pattern of coercion and intimidation against a smaller neighbor that, despite repeated provocations, has consistently responded with diplomacy, restraint, and adherence to the rule of law. The Philippines has chosen legal remedies, including the legally binding 2016 arbitral award, and transparent, rules-based engagement instead of brinkmanship.
By sanctioning a sitting Cabinet member for defending an arbitral ruling and asserting rights guaranteed under international law, China diminishes its own standing in the community of nations. Such actions undermine its claim to be a responsible major power and only strengthen the resolve of democracies — big and small — to stand together against coercion.
To a lesser degree, I experienced similar treatment. In April 2023, China blacklisted the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), a regional network of liberal and democratic political parties that includes the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan. Beijing also barred its officials from entering Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. At the time, I was not a sitting senator and serving as CALD chairperson.
As a child, I learned that bullies prey on those they perceive to be weak. I also learned that kowtowing to a bully does not stop the bullying. In solidarity with Secretary Gibo, I call on the Department of Foreign Affairs to formally protest China’s sanctions against him and his family.
As we approach the tenth anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award on July 12, we reaffirm our rights in our own waters and the right of Filipino citizens — officials and regular folk — to defend and articulate those rights without fear of foreign intimidation.