PH summons Chinese envoy over former senator's ban
The Philippine government summons Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian 'to convey the Philippines' concern' over China's imposition of sanctions against former senator Francis Tolentino, Malacañang said Tuesday. Citing a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that 'the imposition of punitive measures against democratically elected officials for their official acts inconsistent with the norm of mutual respect and dialogue that underpin relations between two equal sovereign states.' 'The Department remains committed to addressing differences through diplomacy and dialogue , and looks forward to continued constructive engagement with China to promote mutual understanding,' Castro said during a press briefing.
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00:00The Department of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese ambassador to convey the Philippines' concern over China's imposition of sanctions against former Sen. Francis N. Tolentino.
00:13The DFA conveyed to the Chinese side that while the imposition of such sanctions falls within China's legal prerogative, the imposition of punitive measures against democratically elected officials for their official acts is inconsistent with the norms of mutual respect and dialogue that underpin relations between two equal sovereign states.
00:40The Department reminded the ambassador that as a democracy, the Philippines values freedom of expression.
00:50In the Philippines' adherence to the constitutional separation of powers among the three branches of the government, it is the mandate of senators and other elected officials to inquire on matters of national and public interests.
01:04The Department remains committed to addressing differences through diplomacy and dialogue and looks forward to continued constructive engagement in China to promote mutual understanding.
