Senator Robinhood Padilla called out a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official's use of caricatures of Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating that disrespect toward a foreign leader invites a similar response.

During the plenary session on Monday, Jan. 26, Padilla criticized what he described as inappropriate conduct by a Philippine government official in uniform, referring to PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela.

Padilla made his manifestation on the same day that several senators supported a resolution condemning the Chinese Embassy's criticism of Philippine officials.

“'Pag nambastos ka, babastusin ka rin talaga (If you disrespect someone, you’ll be disrespected in return),” Padilla said, urging Tarriela not to repeat the act.

He also said this just after his fellow senators, Risa Hontiveros and Erwin Tulfo, defended Tarriela as well as other Philippine officials from the condemnation of the Chinese Embassy in Manila in its statements.

Padilla acknowledged that his views could be unpopular and even invite accusations of being “pro-China,” but said he was willing to accept such criticism if it meant advocating for peace and de-escalation.

He said that regardless of political differences, he would strongly object if another country were to caricature or ridicule President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“Even if I am in the opposition, I would be angry if they did that to our President,” Padilla said in Filipino, adding that the president represents the nation in the same way the national flag does.

For this reason, Padilla appealed to Tarriela not to repeat the act, saying that disrespect often invites retaliation and that defending one’s president is a duty of any nation.

At the same time, Padilla reiterated his long-standing criticism of China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea, particularly the water cannoning incidents involving Filipino fishermen and the PCG, which he described as unreasonable.

However, he questioned why the PCG, despite having a budget, has not invested in stronger equipment to respond, suggesting that the country should not rely solely on appealing for sympathy.

China earlier summoned Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz over what it described as “inflammatory” remarks made by Tarriela, after the PCG spokesperson displayed a caricature of President Xi during a talk with Filipino students.

Meanwhile, senators have crossed party lines to sign a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the recent public statements made by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China that criticized Philippine officials and institutions that defend the country’s national sovereignty and maritime rights.

Fifteen (15) senators signed Senate Resolution No. 256, which were introduced by Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III, Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, Erwin T. Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, Raffy T. Tulfo, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Camille A. Villar, Mark A. Villar, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and Manuel “Lito” Lapid.