The decision of China to sanction former senator Francis Tolentino over his strong stance on the West Philippine Sea issue will not deter Filipinos from defending the country’s sovereignty, Malacañang said Wednesday, July 2.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after China banned Tolentino from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macao for his “egregious conduct on China-related issues.”

In a press briefing, Castro said the decision will not faze Filipinos.

“Kung ano man po ang naging dahilan ng China sa pag-ban kay Senator Tolentino, kanila po ito (Whatever China’s reason may be for banning Senator Tolentino, that is their decision),” said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro in a press briefing.

“Pero ang bawat Filipino—ang tunay na Filipino at ang mga Filipino na pro-Philippines—hindi nila ito mapapatahimik at hindi nila ito mapagbabawalan na ipagtanggol kung ano man ang karapatan natin sa ating bansa at sa ating mga maritime rights (But every Filipino—the true Filipino and those who are pro-Philippines—will not be silenced or stopped from defending our country’s rights and maritime entitlements),” she added.

Castro said President Marcos has been made aware of Beijing’s move, but deferred questions on the official Philippine response to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Palace official, however, emphasized that the President remains firm in upholding the country’s territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea.

“Ang sabi nga ng Pangulo (As the President said), ‘We will not yield even an inch of our territory to a foreign power,’” she said.

When asked if Marcos intends to summon Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to express concern over the ban, Castro said there are no such plans yet.

On Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing has decided to impose sanctions on Tolentino for his egregious conduct on China-related issues and prohibit him from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao. It said China is “firmly resolved” to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

The ministry also called out “a handful of anti-China politicians in the Philippines” who have made “malicious remarks and moves” detrimental to China’s interests and the relationship between the Philippines and China.

Despite the ban, Tolentino said he considered China's sanctions against him a badge of honor and a testament to his unwavering commitment to protect our national interest and the Filipino people's dignity.

“I acknowledge the sanctions imposed on me by China for defending the rights, dignity, and sovereignty of the Filipino people in the West Philippine Sea. I have fought - and will continue to fight - for what rightfully belongs to our nation,” he said.

“I stand firmly with the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and our brave fishermen who depend on these waters for their livelihood,” he added.

Tolentino was the chairperson of the Senate’s Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones. As chair of the special committee, he supported the passage of the Philippine Maritime Zones and Archipelagic Sealanes Acts, which codify the 2016 arbitral win that upheld Manila’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

He sought reelection in the May 2025 polls under Marcos’ Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas but lost. During the 2025 midterm campaign, Tolentino alleged that China was meddling in the elections and the Chinese Embassy in Manila had contracted a local marketing firm to propagate pro-Beijing messages on social media. He also cited alleged espionage activities that law enforcement had flagged as having Chinese links.