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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Erwin Tulfo: China should leave if it refuses to honor freedom of speech in Philippines

Erwin Tulfo: China should leave if it refuses to honor freedom of speech in Philippines

Published Jan 25, 2026 12:23 pm

At A Glance

  • As far as he is concerned, Sen. Erwin Tulfo said China has no authority to censure local officials especially those defending the country's sovereignty.

Senator Erwin Tulfo on Sunday, January 25 criticized the Chinese Embassy in Manila after it publicly condemned statements made by several Philippine officials regarding the West Philippine Sea issue.

Senator Erwin Tulfo (Senate PRIB photo)
Senator Erwin Tulfo (Senate PRIB photo)

As far as he is concerned, Tulfo said China has no authority to censure local officials especially those defending the country’s sovereignty.

“You have no right to censure our officials for their statements about you taking away our territory—territory that has been proven to be ours,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo’s remarks stemmed from a statement by Chinese Embassy Manila Deputy Spokesperson Guo Wei, who asserted that freedom of speech is not a license to smear others, especially the leaders of other countries.

Guo had also said that such actions are unacceptable, specifically highlighting a recent social media post by the Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Comm. Jay Tarriela.

The post showed AI-generated depictions of Chinese President Xi Jinping fuming in anger and flexing his muscles, and holding a boat with a tiny Philippine flag.

“If Chinese Embassy officials do not like how democracy works in the Philippines, they can leave anytime,” Tulfo said.

“Our house, our rules. Freedom of speech is in our Constitution,” the legislator added.

Moreover, he said China has no right to impose their policies in the Philippines that observes democratic processes uphold freedom of speech.

“They cannot do it their way here because there is no freedom of speech in their country. Critics there are jailed, media is silenced, and opinions are controlled,” he pointed out.

 “If you want respect from Filipinos, then respect our Constitution. Respect our officials. Respect our freedom of speech. And respect the simple truth that this is not your country,” he stressed.

Related Tags

Erwin Tulfo WEST PHILIPPINE SEA China Chinese embassy
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