Former Senator Francis Tolentino said it is an “honor” to be sanctioned by the Chinese government, following Beijing’s decision to ban him from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao.
The Chinese government announced the sanctions on July 1—just one day after Tolentino officially ended his term in the Senate following an unsuccessful re-election bid.
“Ang parusang ito ay isang karangalan at patunay ng aking matatag na paninindigan na protektahan ang pambansang interes at dangal ng ating mga kababayan. Walang dayuhang puwersa ang makakatahimik o makakabawas sa aking determinasyon na ipaglaban ang ating soberanya. Ako ay Pilipino at taas-noo kong ipagmamalaki ito,” Tolentino said in a statement.
Tolentino is the principal author of the Philippine Maritime Zones and Archipelagic Sealanes Act, which reinforces the country’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.
He emphasized that he will continue to advocate for Philippine sovereignty alongside the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the country’s fishermen who rely on the sea for their livelihood.
“Patuloy kong ipaglalaban ang nararapat sa ating bansa, kasama ang Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, at ang ating matatapang na mangingisda na umaasa sa dagat na ito para sa kanilang kabuhayan,” he added.