Former Senator Francis Tolentino defended the Senate’s adoption of Resolution No. 256, saying it was a legitimate expression of the chamber’s position in response to remarks made by the Chinese Embassy against Philippine officials who criticized Beijing’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.
In a television interview, Tolentino said he respected the resolution and would have backed it had he been part of the 20th Congress, stressing that it does not undermine diplomatic ties with China.
“I respect (the resolution) and if I were a member of the 20th Congress, I would have supported likewise that resolution.”
“That’s an expression of the sense of the Senate. It’s nothing that would perhaps impinge on our diplomatic relations with China.”
An expert in public international law, Tolentino described the resolution as part of “transparent engagement” between Manila and Beijing.
He noted that the Senate has long supported the country’s maritime claims, pointing to the 2012 executive order formally naming the West Philippine Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim.
According to Tolentino, asserting these rights is both a responsibility and a continuing obligation of the Philippine government.
“It’s part of our right. It’s part of the duties. You just have to keep asserting it.”
He also underscored that Philippine sovereignty over Pag-asa Island cannot be surrendered under existing law, emphasizing that any attempt to do so would violate the Constitution.
“We have jurisdiction and sovereignty over the Pag-asa Island. We cannot give that up.”
“To give that up would be unconstitutional. It would require a constitutional amendment. Not even Congress, not even the executive branch, not even the military can give that up.”