A proposal to explore possible institutional responses against a Chinese Embassy official surfaced in the Senate as lawmakers debated a resolution condemning public statements from Beijing’s mission in Manila that criticized Philippine officials over the West Philippine Sea.
The discussion unfolded during deliberations on Proposed Senate Resolution 256, which has so far been signed by 15 senators. The measure denounces a series of embassy posts directed at Filipino officials who have spoken against China’s actions in contested waters.
Senator Risa Hontiveros brought the issue to the floor, citing a recent social media post by the Chinese Embassy’s deputy spokesperson, Guo Wei, which dismissed the Senate initiative as mere imitation among lawmakers. She said the post reposted visuals referencing the senators backing the resolution and framed their collective stance as copying one another.
“May post na naman ang Chinese Embassy Manila tungkol sa paksa ng ating resolusyon. Ngayon naman si Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy Guo Wei, sabi niya ‘echoes do not make a claim true’,” Hontiveros said.
“Ni-repost nila yung visuals ng 15 senators condemn Chinese Embassy’s criticism of Philippine officials. Na ang ibig sabihin ng unang linya ng post ni Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy Manila Guo Wei, gaya-gaya lang tayo sa isa’t isa, tayong lahat na pumirma so far sa resolusyon,” she added.
Hontiveros argued that the remarks belittled the Senate and reflected continued disrespect toward Philippine institutions.
“At minamaliit niya na halos two-thirds ng Senado ay pumirma nitong resolusyon… Ganyan pa rin ang tono nila. Bastos. Walang pag-galang. At gusto pa rin nila sila ang masusunod. Hindi lang sa dagat ng Pilipinas, hindi lang sa social media ng Pilipinas, pati sa Senado ng Pilipinas.”
Reacting to her statements, Senate President Vicente Sotto III raised the idea of examining whether the chamber could move to declare the Chinese diplomat involved as persona non grata, describing such an action as grave and requiring careful consideration.
“That is very, very serious when the Senate does that. So I suggest that the Committee on Rules study the possibility,” Sotto said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson cautioned that the authority to formally declare a diplomat persona non grata rests with the President of the Philippines, and urged lawmakers to study the limits of Senate action in such matters.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano called for the resolution to be referred to committee instead of being immediately adopted, citing broader implications for Philippine relations with China, including economic ties and the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.
“Mr. President, napaka-importante nung resolution na to, hindi lang dahil sa issues sa West Philippine Sea, but also because of many other issues, our economic ties, people-to-people ties, our OFWs in Hong Kong, in mainland China, in Macau. That’s why the minority through myself wrote a letter to the majority leader and yourself for your consideration po, na rather than adopting the resolution, we call a committee hearing,” Cayetano said.
Parallel calls for action emerged in the House of Representatives, where ten lawmakers filed House Resolution No. 680 urging the executive branch to respond more forcefully to the Chinese Embassy’s public statements. The measure asks the Department of Foreign Affairs to consider diplomatic protests, summoning the Chinese ambassador, and the possible declaration of persona non grata against embassy officials accused of improper conduct.
According to the resolution, these options are meant to uphold diplomatic norms, the principle of non-interference, and Philippine sovereignty following remarks aimed at government officials.
“Wala silang karapatan na laitin, insultuhin at bastusin ang ating mga opisyal. Hindi naman pwedeng habang nagpapakalat sila ng kasinungalingan tungkol sa atin, ay mananahimik lang tayo. Tulad ng pagtatanggol natin sa West Philippine Sea (WPS), dapat lang na pumalag tayo at ipagtanggol din ang ating mga opisyal na dinedepensahan lang kung ano ang totoo at ano ang nararapat sa dignidad ng ating bansa,” ML Party List Representative Leila de Lima said.
In a separate privilege speech, Pinoy Workers Party List Representative Franz Vincent Legazpi focused on the safety of Filipino fishermen, citing what he described as aggressive actions by Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
“We call on the House of Representatives to pronounce on record our resolve to condemn these heinous acts… and to stand for the protection of our brave fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea, whatever way we can,” Legazpi said.
“We fully support the PCG and all frontline personnel who stand between our people and danger. We must ensure that our fishermen are never left alone, unprotected or forgotten by the House of Representatives on our own waters,” he added.Persona non grata proposal surfaces amid Senate anger over Chinese Embassy posts
