Senators have rejected the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s response to the Philippine Senate’s passage of Senate Resolution No. 256 condemning the statements it made against Philippine officials and institutions defending the country’s national sovereignty and maritime rights.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said the response made by the Chinese embassy was “undiplomatic and boorish.”

Pangilinan, author and sponsor of the resolution, also said the latest response is in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

“The Chinese Embassy’s undiplomatic and boorish response to the official act of the Philippine Senate, in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, only proves that China is indeed a bully, has no respect for International law and their acts deserving of condemnation,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

“We rest our case. We will never tolerate nor be cowed by foreigners disrespecting us in our own lan,” he further said.

“We reiterate our call for the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) to take the necessary diplomatic measures to uphold the dignity of the Republic of the Philippines and to ensure that relations with other States are conducted in accordance with international law and established principles of State relations,” said Pangilinan.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also rejected the statements made by Ji Lingpeng, believing the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in the Philippines only 

wanted to only “silence this august chamber by calling us hypocrites and ignorant by issuing our stand through this resolution.”

“He is claiming that we are intimidating Chinese diplomats yet he continues to speak disrespectfully against us and calling the senate resolution a mere political stunt,” 

“I can say the same thing to him that he knows little about how diplomacy works. 

Respect begets respect,” Sotto stressed.

During a press briefing, Ji said the Senate Resolution No. 256 is “nothing but a political stunt,” even as he firmly rejected and strongly condemned the anti-China resolution.

According to the Chinese official, the senators know little about how diplomacy works, and yet had the courage to undermine the efforts to improve China-Philippine relations by stirring up hatred and confrontation.

“What they’ve done is for their own political interest.  Such behavior only disgraces themselves. However, the price of their hypocrisy, ignorance, and recklessness, is paid by the ordinary people,” he said.

Last Monday, the Senate approved SR No. 256 with 15 senators in agreement in saying that the language used by a Chinese embassy official, directed at incument members of Congress, is a departure from “the restraint, courtesy and responsibility expected of diplomatic communications.”

The resolution also said the statements of the Chinese official runs counter to the principles of mutual respect and non-interference among states. 

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, for her part said, that a Senate resolution is a legitimate and appropriate tool for legislators to express concern over actions that affect Philippine laws, sovereignty, and national interests.

“We will not be silenced or deterred by statements from foreign actors. We will continue to use lawful instruments, including resolutions, to put these matters on record, kahit isang milyon pa ang pahayag laban dito. This is our constitutional duty,” Hontiveros said.