CHINA yesterday imposed sanctions and barred former senator Francis Tolentino from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau after labeling him as one of anti-China politicians.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the sanctions stems from Tolentino’s “malicious remarks” and moves on issues that are detrimental to Beijing’s interest and bilateral relations with Manila.
Tolentino, in a statement, called the sanctions a “badge of honor and a testament” to his resolute pledge to protect the Philippines’ interests and “our people’s dignity.”
“I acknowledge the sanctions imposed on me by China for defending the rights, dignity, and sovereignty of the Filipino people in the West Philippine Sea. I have fought — and will continue to fight — for what rightfully belongs to our nation,” he also said.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada came to his former colleague’s defense, and urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to summon Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to explain China’s move and to formally convey the Philippines’ “strong displeasure” over the imposition of sanctions.
“China’s latest action, though within their prerogative, clearly undermines mutual respect and regional stability. Will they now impose the same sanctions on our President for signing into law Republic Act No. 120641, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and Republic Act No. 120651, the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act?” Estrada said.
The Chinese ministry, in a statement, said: “For quite some time, driven by selfish interests, a handful of politicians in the Philippines have made malicious remarks and moves on issues related to China that are detrimental to China’s interest and China-Philippine relation.”
“The Chinese government is firmly resolved to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests. China decides to impose sanctions on former Philippine senator Francis Tolentino for his egregious conduct on China-related issues and prohibit him from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau,” it added.
The ministry did not specify Tolentino’s moves that prompted Beijing to impose sanctions.
Tolentino, in his reelection bid in the May midterm polls, fashioned himself tough on China and its aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea.
In the middle of the election campaign, Tolentino held a hearing where he accused the Chinese Embassy in Manila of tapping a public relations firm to propagate pro-China messages in the Philippines.
The embassy has denied Tolentino’s claim.
Tolentino was also instrumental in shepherding the passage in the Senate of the Philippine Maritime Zones and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Acts, which codified and strengthened the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration which junked China’s sweeping claims in the South China under its so-called nine dash line.
Tolentino said the sanctions will not stop him from fighting for the country, especially for the fisherfolk who depend on the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS) for their livelihood, and the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard who have always been defending the country, including the intrusion of the Chinese on Philippine territorial waters.
“No foreign power can silence me or weaken my resolve to uphold our sovereignty. I am, and always be, proud to be a Filipino,” he added.
Estrada said he saw nothing wrong when Tolentino crafted measures to assert the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the WPS.
“Since when has crafting legislation that asserts our sovereign rights been considered egregious conduct?,” he said.
He added Tolentino “was well within his mandate when he pursued — duly supported by his colleagues in Congress, myself included—two landmark measures that had the full backing of the President: the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.”
“His actions were fully aligned with our democratic processes and legal frameworks,” he added.
