Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

It's only right for the Philippine government to send home foreign diplomats that abuse Filipino hospitality. 

Thus, said House Deputy Majority LeaderTingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, as he advised such diplomats to follow the rules in the country where they have been received as mere "guests". 

“I think it's only reasonable that people who abuse our hospitality and abuse the privileges that are accorded in goodwill should also be sent home,” said Acidre, chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs. 

Acidre’s statement came in response to Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla's directive for the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into alleged illegal activities involving foreign diplomats in the country. 

While the DOJ refrained from naming diplomats from specific countries, it cited reports regarding the Chinese Embassy's release of alleged transcripts and recordings of a conversation purportedly involving a Chinese diplomat and a Philippine military official regarding Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

Acidre supported Remulla’s statement that while foreign diplomats enjoy privileges and immunities, it is equally their responsibility to respect the laws and regulations of the host country. 

“To make it simple, diplomats are guests of our country. While they have their own privileges and immunity, it still boils down to the reality that they are guests of the receiving country,” he pointed out. 

“In fact, they cannot exercise any of those diplomatic immunities until they are officially received by the host state. So, I think we cannot argue against that and in that light, we are supporting the statement of the Justice Secretary in that regard,” the House leader said. 

As for the specific situation of alleged wiretapping involving the Chinese diplomat, Acidre aired his concern over the potential illegal activities. 

“Wiretapping is illegal in the country,” he noted. “If it can be established that this Chinese diplomat has wiretapped or made a recording of phone conversations and leaked these documents, then they must be held accountable under our laws.” 

Acidre says such actions go beyond what is guaranteed by diplomatic immunity, especially depending on the rank of the diplomatic official involved.