Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday defended fellow senators who criticized Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan, saying they were fulfilling their duties and expressing Filipinos’ concerns amid tensions over the West Philippine Sea.
In an ambush interview, Gatchalian said the senators had remained “very professional“ in their statements and had not sought to escalate the dispute.
“Kami naman sa Senado, ginagawa lang namin ang trabaho natin at makikita naman natin 'yung statements ng ating mga senador, very professional, maayos, pinapakita lang kung ano 'yung tama. Pero hindi in-escalate yung sitwasyon,” he said.
He said lawmakers were conveying the sentiments of Filipinos who opposed threats against the country.
“Pinapahiwatig lang natin 'yung mga sentimento ng ating mga kababayan,” Gatchalian said. “'Yan ang sentimento natin mga kababayan na hindi naman pwede tayong bantaan sa sarili nating bansa.”
His remarks came amid an exchange of statements between Philippine lawmakers and the Chinese Embassy over Jing’s comments about China’s military advantage over the Philippines.
Senators Erwin Tulfo and Risa Hontiveros have filed separate resolutions seeking to have Jing declared persona non grata over remarks they viewed as threats against the Philippines.
The Chinese Embassy, in response to calls for the envoy’s removal, said lawmakers who did not welcome the ambassador were also unwelcome in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, citing reciprocity.
Watch the full report of RH Raymund Dadpaas below:
