Padilla wants Australian senator declared persona non grata for 'unparliamentary behavior'
By Dhel Nazario
Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla on Monday condemned Australian senator Janet Rice who, according to Padilla, disrespected President Marcos during his historic speech before the Australian Parliament.
Rice called out the Marcos administration in a post on X, stating that corruption in the Philippines is supposedly getting worse under Marcos and there remain hundreds of political prisoners.
Padilla filed Senate Resolution 944 where he also called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to declare Rice as persona non grata for her "unparliamentary behavior."
"To condemn Australian Sen. Janet Rice and to urge the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to declare her as persona non grata for her unparliamentary behavior during President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.'s address before the Australian Parliament in Canberra," he said.
He noted the incident occurred last Feb. 29, when Rice "engaged in unparliamentary behavior by expressing her dissent through an act of protest during the proceedings."
Rice was directed "to leave the Chamber for disorderly behaviour," he added, citing the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Australian Parliament.
In his resolution, Padilla pointed out this year marks the 78th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Australia, and that President Marcos' visit there - upon the invitation of Governor General David Hurley - sought to strengthen both countries' existing bonds.