MANILA, Philippines — Following days of intense debate, the Philippine Senate officially adopted Senate Resolution No. 256 on Monday, February 9, 2026, “condemning” recent public statements by the Chinese Embassy in Manila. The resolution targets the embassy’s criticism of Philippine officials and institutions who have stood in defense of the country’s maritime rights and sovereignty.
The measure had been temporarily stalled by members of the minority bloc but was ultimately approved with no objections after nearly three hours of interpellation by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.
Key Points of the Resolution
- Lack of Diplomacy: The resolution, signed by 15 senators, noted that the language used by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan departed from the “restraint, courtesy, and responsibility” expected of diplomatic communications.
- Non-Interference: Lawmakers asserted that the embassy’s remarks ran counter to the principles of mutual respect and non-interference.
- Sovereign Rights: Citing the United Nations Charter and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Senate affirmed that the “peaceful assertion of sovereign rights” does not constitute aggression or provocation.
- Defense Support: The resolution highlighted that the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have also denounced China’s attempts to “intimidate or malign” defense personnel.
The “Sense of the Senate” The resolution formally expresses the chamber’s collective stance against improper criticism directed at officials performing their duties. It calls upon the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to:
- Take necessary diplomatic steps to uphold the “dignity of the Republic.”
- Ensure international relations adhere to international law.
- Record formal objections and, if necessary, elevate the matter to relevant international forums.
Signatories The 15 signatories represent a broad cross-section of the chamber, including:
- Senate Leaders: Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, and Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.
- Members: Senators Bam Aquino, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Francis Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Camille Villar, and Mark Villar.
The adoption of the resolution comes at a time of heightened tension in the West Philippine Sea, reinforced by Malacañang’s recent statement that “no part of the Philippines will be given to a foreign power,” specifically referencing the Kalayaan Island Group.