Sen. Robinhood Padilla on Friday condemned an AI-generated video and editorial material published by Chinese state-backed media outlet China Daily regarding the 2016 West Philippine Sea arbitral award, describing the content as “insulting, discriminatory, and racist” toward Filipinos.
In a statement, Padilla’s office said the release of the video, which depicts Filipinos as monkeys, was “unacceptable and deserving of condemnation.”
“Ang kalayaan sa pagpapahayag at pampulitikang diskurso ay hindi kailanman maaaring maging dahilan upang yurakan ang dignidad ng isang lahi o bansa,” the office of Padilla said in a statement released on July 17.
“Ang paglalarawan sa mga Pilipino sa isang mapanlait at nakabababang paraan ay hindi katanggap-tanggap at nararapat lamang na kondenahin,” it said.
The statement expressed support for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which earlier condemned the AI-generated material released by China Daily.
The DFA on Thursday, July 16, 2026, strongly denounced the video published by the Chinese state-run media outlet, calling for the immediate removal of the offensive content.
China Daily posted the 58-second AI-generated video on its Facebook page on July 10. The video reportedly showed a monkey wearing a salakot and barong—items commonly associated with Filipino culture—while allegedly being instructed by the United States and Japan.
Padilla’s office said it stood with the DFA’s call for the removal of the material and urged all parties to uphold truth, respect, and responsibility in global public discourse.
“Nakikiisa ang Tanggapan ni Senador Padilla sa panawagan ng Kagawaran na agarang alisin ang naturang mapanlait na nilalaman at hinihikayat ang lahat ng panig na pairalin ang katotohanan, paggalang, at pagiging responsable sa pandaigdigang pampublikong diskurso,” it said.
The senator’s office also reiterated Padilla’s position that maintaining peaceful relations, dialogue, and cooperation with all countries, including China, should not come at the expense of the dignity, sovereignty, and honor of the Filipino people.
“Matagal nang paninindigan ni Senador Padilla na bagama't mahalaga ang pagpapanatili ng maayos na ugnayan, dayalogo, at kooperasyon sa lahat ng bansa—kabilang ang Tsina—hindi kailanman dapat isakripisyo ang dangal, soberanya, at karangalan ng sambayanang Pilipino,” Padilla’s office noted.
It said that the “dignity and sovereignty of the Filipino people should never be sacrificed,“ despite the importance of maintaining peaceful relations and dialogue among all nations.
“Ang anumang hindi pagkakasundo sa pagitan ng mga bansa ay dapat lutasin sa pamamagitan ng diplomasya, paggalang sa pandaigdigang batas, at mahinahong pag-uusap—hindi sa pamamagitan ng propaganda na naglalayong hamakin ang isang buong mamamayan at sirain ang tiwala sa isa't isa,” the statement read.
Padilla’s office further emphasized that the Philippines must continue defending its legitimate rights and national interests in the West Philippine Sea while promoting peace and stability in the region.
It added that patriotism and the pursuit of diplomacy can be pursued simultaneously.
“Ang pagiging makabayan at ang pagsusulong ng diplomasya ay maaaring sabay na isabuhay,“ it added.
