The Philippine Senate on Monday approved Proposed Senate Resolution No. 256, condemning remarks by the Chinese Embassy and reaffirming the country’s sovereign right to defend its national interests under international law.
The measure was passed after a nearly three-hour debate sparked by a caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping circulated by Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela.
Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano cautioned against appearing to endorse Tarriela’s actions, saying: “We cannot pass this resolution saying that Commodore Tarriela is correct because he’s wrong… If he simply stated, ‘I love the Philippines, I will fight for our territory… pero hindi official ‘yan,’ tapos tayo.”
Senator Kiko Pangilinan, the resolution’s sponsor, defended Tarriela, citing the Department of National Defense’s condemnation of China’s statements.
“Mr. President, we beg to disagree… that is your personal view,” he said.
Cayetano warned that Pangilinan’s reasoning could justify staff circulating memes mocking senators, to which Pangilinan responded: “You’re comparing apples and oranges, Mr. President.”
After debate and amendments, Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri moved for adoption, which Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III approved without objection.
The resolution urges the Department of Foreign Affairs to uphold Philippine dignity in diplomacy while condemning the Chinese Embassy’s statements as “contrary to accepted standards of diplomatic conduct and mutual respect between states.”