Malacañang said the Philippines will maintain a “firm but diplomatic” stance toward China amid the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s more confrontational approach to dealing with issues surrounding the South China Sea.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after Beijing criticized a Senate resolution denouncing statements from the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

In a press briefing, Castro said President Marcos respects freedom of expression and underscored that both sides may air their views on the issue.

“Ang Pangulo po kasi ay rumirespeto sa kalayaan ng pamamahayag (The President respects freedom of expression),” she said Wednesday, Feb. 11.

“Kung may kalayaan po ang China sa kanilang pamamahayag, ganoon din naman po ang sinuman na Pilipino at kung anuman din po ang inihayag ng Senado (If China has freedom in expressing its views, the same applies to Filipinos and whatever the Senate has expressed),” she added.

Castro reiterated that the administration’s approach toward Beijing remains unchanged.

“At muli, uulitin po natin ang posisyon ng Pangulo patungkol po sa relasyon sa China — firm but diplomatic po (And again, we reiterate the President’s position on relations with China — firm but diplomatic),” she said, noting that Malacañang does not view China’s condemnation of the Senate resolution as an attempt to silence lawmakers.

Despite observations that Beijing’s new envoy has adopted a more combative tone, Castro said the Philippines will continue pursuing legal and diplomatic means in resolving disputes.

“Hindi po kasi natin masasabi na ang pagiging palaban ay siyang magiging magandang solusyon para maayos kung anuman ang sigalot sa bansang China (We cannot say that being confrontational is the solution to resolving disputes with China),” she said.

“So, kung sila man ay palaban, mayroon naman po tayong paraan na ligal, diplomatic na puwedeng makapag-ayos ng anumang isyu (Even if they are confrontational, we have legal and diplomatic means to address issues),” she added.

Castro emphasized that while the government remains measured in tone, the President continues to assert the country’s sovereignty and interests.

“The President says that we [have] a firm stance on our position with regard to our rights and interests over our own territory and over the West Philippine Sea,” she said.

She declined to elaborate on thresholds that might prompt stronger responses, saying specifics would be addressed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“I will just leave the question to DFA,” Castro said.

On China’s decision to bar 16 Kalayaan local officials from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, Castro said the matter falls outside the government’s jurisdiction and referred details to the DFA.

“Kung anuman po ang naging desisyon at polisiya ng China ay hindi naman po natin ito saklaw, katulad din po na hindi po nang hindi nila dapat masaklawan kung ano po ang nagiging desisyon ng administrasyon na ito (Whatever decision or policy China has made is not within our jurisdiction, just as they should not cover the decisions of this administration),” she said.

She added that further information would be provided by DFA officials handling the matter.

Castro also said the Palace has not yet taken a position on suggestions to file another arbitration case against China before the International Court of Justice.

“Iyong ganyan pong suhestiyon ay hindi pa rin po naipaparating sa atin kung ano ang opinyon at ano po ang magiging take ng ating pamahalaan (That suggestion has not yet been relayed to us regarding the government’s opinion or position),” she said.

“Pero ipapaabot po iyan lalung-lalo na po sa DFA (But it will be conveyed, especially to the DFA),” she added.