Senate condemns China embassy remarks over WPS
After days of lengthy deliberations on the floor, the Senate finally approved and adopted on Monday a resolution “condemning” statements by the Chinese Embassy in Manila criticizing Philippine officials and institutions for their positions in defense of the country’s sovereignty and maritime rights.
Senate Resolution No. 256 had been stalled at the plenary hall by some minority senators who questioned the measure.
But on Monday, after nearly three hours of interpellation by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, the chamber approved the resolution, subject to style, and with no objections.
The resolution signed by 15 senators noted Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s language in his attacks against lawmakers and other officials, saying it departs from “the restraint, courtesy, and responsibility expected of diplomatic communications” and runs counter to “the principles of mutual respect and non-interference” among states.
It noted further that the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have also denounced remarks by China intended “to intimidate or malign Philippine defense institutions and personnel” and have vowed not to be “silenced by such actions.”
‘Sense of the Senate’
Citing the United Nations Charter and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the resolution said the Philippines, as a sovereign state, has the right to assert and defend its positions in accordance with international law, adding that “the peaceful assertion of sovereign rights does not characterize aggression or provocation.”
The resolution said it expressed “the sense of the Senate” in condemning the Chinese Embassy’s recent public statements which “improperly criticize Philippine officials or institutions for actions undertaken in the performance of their duties.”
It affirmed that the Republic of the Philippines has the sovereign right and responsibility to present, assert and defend its official positions and national interests in accordance with international law.
Signatories
The resolution, lastly, called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to take necessary diplomatic steps to uphold the “dignity of the Republic” and ensure that relations with other states adhere to international law—and, if needed, “place [the country’s] objections on record and elevate the matter to relevant international fora.”
The signatories of Senate Resolution No. 256 are Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senators Bam Aquino, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Francis Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Camille Villar, and Mark Villar.
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