Metro Manila, Philippines – While several senators strongly condemned the Chinese Embassy’s verbal attacks on Filipino officials, Senator Imee Marcos called for “restraint, sobriety, and professionalism” in handling the dispute.
Marcos, chairperson of the committee on foreign relations, filed a resolution on Wednesday, Jan. 28, seeking to unite the Senate in urging government officials and employees to “maintain circumspection in language and action, and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in public communications and exchanges with foreign governments and diplomatic missions.”
Her proposed measure also calls on agencies and officials to respect the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)’s authority as the lead agency in the conduct of foreign relations. Marcos said the DFA must be given “sufficient latitude and cooperation in addressing international issues through appropriate diplomatic channels.”
She cited DFA advisories warning against public exchanges that could escalate tensions between states.
“There is a need to de-escalate the worsening public exchanges between officials from both sides in order to preserve diplomatic space and ensure the coherent and effective conduct of Philippine foreign relations,” the resolution read.
The measure also referenced the Vienna Convention, which mandates that diplomatic agents must refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of another state. It further noted that existing codes of conduct for public officials and Philippine Coast Guard personnel require the highest degree of professionalism.
“There is a compelling need for all government officials to exercise restraint, sobriety, and professionalism in public communications relating to foreign affairs, in order to avoid unnecessary escalation of diplomatic tensions,” it added.
Marcos’ resolution was filed days after 15 senators submitted a separate measure condemning the Chinese Embassy in Manila for its public statements against Filipino officials. The controversy stemmed from a social media post by Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela, in which caricatures or altered images of Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared in the background during an academic event.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who sponsored the condemning resolution, said China had “crossed a line” in its statements while Senator Risa Hontiveros described them as “bastos” (rude). Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III suggested declaring Chinese Embassy deputy spokesperson Guo Wei persona non grata, while Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito floated the idea of replacing newly appointed Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan for failing to ease tensions.
In a statement on Wednesday, Marcos clarified that her proposal was not meant to silence debate, suppress patriotism, or weaken the defense of sovereignty.
“But reckless statements and intemperate rhetoric can have real consequences on bilateral relations and our ability to protect national interests, particularly in sensitive areas such as the maritime domain,” she said.
Pangilinan earlier noted that while only 15 senators introduced the condemning resolution, what matters is the final vote.
The signatories include Pangilinan, Hontiveros, Sotto, Ejercito, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, Erwin and Raffy Tulfo, Win Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Bam Aquino, Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid, and Camille and Mark Villar.
Those who did not sign include Marcos, Minority Leader Alan Cayetano, and Senators Pia Cayetano, Bato dela Rosa, Chiz Escudero, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Robin Padilla, and Joel Villanueva.
In recent years, the Senate has passed several resolutions condemning China’s harassment and incursions in the West Philippine Sea amid the long-standing territorial dispute.
