The Senate on Tuesday, Jan. 27, suggested studying the possibility of recommending to the President to declare a Chinese Embassy official persona non grata, following a new social media post undermining Philippine senators. 

(Photo from the Senate of the Philippines)

This is amid a Senate resolution signed by several senators condemning the Chinese Embassy's criticism of Philippine officials.

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III suggested this during the plenary session after a brief manifestation by Senator Risa Hontiveros, who flagged a Facebook post by Guo Wei, Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Manila, that was published minutes after the Senate session opened.

Hontiveros said the post, which stated that “echoes do not make a claim true,” appeared to belittle the senators who signed the proposed “sense of the Senate” resolution and questioned the legitimacy of their collective position.

She noted that the post was made even before Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan had formally sponsored the resolution, and argued that the embassy’s continued statements showed what she described as a “disrespectful” and “undiplomatic” tone.

“Minamaliit niya na halos two-thirds ng Senado ay pumirma nitong resolusyon (He is downplaying the fact that nearly two-thirds of the Senate signed the resolution),” Hontiveros said, adding that the embassy’s actions underscored the urgency of approving the measure.

Following the manifestation, Sotto said he was associating himself with the statements of the principal sponsor and other senators.

“Secondly, yes, we will be perhaps studying the resolution, but in the same light, I suggest that we study the possibility of declaring that person persona non grata—and that is very, very serious when the Senate does that,” Sotto said, proposing that the Committee on Rules examine the option.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano manifested his request to hold a committee hearing first before adopting Senate Resolution No. 256, expressing the sense of the Senate in condemning recent public statements issued by the Chinese Embassy in Manila concerning Philippine officials and institutions, and affirming the right of the Republic of the Philippines to assert its sovereign rights in accordance with international law.  

He expressed the need to inform the public on what really transpired and the content of the public statements of the Chinese embassy official in the Philippines. 

“I think this is a very deep issue, and it will be good for us and for the public to really know what Commodore Jay Tarriela said,” he added.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson sought clarification, asking whether Sotto was amenable to holding committee hearings on the resolution.

Pangilinan responded that he was open to the suggestion but had not formally adopted it.

Lacson then pointed out that, based on his understanding, only the President may declare a diplomat persona non grata, with the Senate limited to making a recommendation, subject to legal validation.

Sotto clarified that his remark was merely a suggestion and reiterated that the matter should be studied.

Later in the session, Pangilinan said that if, after study, the Senate leadership deemed it necessary to file a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate urging the President to declare the Chinese Embassy deputy spokesperson persona non grata, he would support such a measure.

After the exchange, Sotto accepted a motion from Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri to suspend consideration of the resolution.