The Philippine government has recognized the democratic processes of the United States after it reportedly passed a measure barring the entry of foreign government officials who persecute journalists.

According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, the Philippines respects the sovereignty of the United States just as it expects the country's sovereignty and independence will be respected as well.

"We recognize the democratic process of a sovereign state, such as the United States, which according to reports, recently enacted a congressional measure which bans foreign government officials allegedly 'threatening, wrongfully imprisoning, or otherwise depriving of liberty of independent journalists,'" Roque said.

"As a fellow sovereign state, we respect the sovereignty, independence and equality of the United States," he added.

The United States reportedly passed its 2021 appropriations bill that funds the US Department of State, other international programs and activities, among others.

The 2021 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act reportedly included a provision prohibiting the entry of foreign government officials involved in threatening, wrongfully imprisoning, or otherwise depriving of liberty independent journalists who speak out or public about official corruption or other abuses.  The measure mentioned Rappler head Maria Ressa and El Salvador’s news website El Faro.

While the country respects the latest US policy, Roque said the Philippines also has its own independent institutions and domestic laws that must be enforced and applied to all.

"Each must learn to respect each other’s domestic policies and intrusion to another nation’s sovereignty must be frowned upon," he said.

"This basic principle of international law is based on the United Nations Charter which declares, 'The organization and its members shall act based on principle of sovereign equality of its member,'" he said.