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Pia Lee-Brago - The Philippine Star
July 2, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — China has imposed sanctions on former senator Francis Tolentino, barring him from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau over what Beijing described as “egregious conduct on China-related issues.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced the move a day after Tolentino’s term in the Senate ended, accusing him and other “anti-China” Philippine politicians of making “malicious remarks and moves” detrimental to China’s interests and its ties with Manila.
“China decides to impose sanctions on former Philippines senator Francis Tolentino for his egregious conduct on China-related issues and prohibit him from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau,” the ministry said yesterday in a statement.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in response, said “while these measures are legally within China’s prerogative, they are not conducive to mutual efforts to restore mutual trust and improve bilateral relations.”
In February 2024, then-senator Tolentino authored and sponsored Senate Bill 2492, which later became the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.
The law establishes the country’s archipelagic boundaries and affirms the Philippines’ jurisdiction over its internal waters and exclusive economic zone, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral award.
It underscores the nation’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and Philippine Rise and is designed to safeguard the livelihood of Filipino fishermen and assert control over the region’s vast marine and energy resources.
Tolentino had also revealed a service contract between the Chinese embassy in Manila and Infinitus Marketing Solutions Inc., which allegedly involved the recruitment of “keyboard warriors” for online influence campaigns.
He claimed this bolstered intelligence findings from Philippine security agencies about cyber espionage and troll farm activities linked to Chinese nationals.
‘Badge of honor’
In response to China’s announcement, Tolentino said on Tuesday that he considers the Chinese government’s move a “badge of honor,” standing by his position that China continues to violate the Philippines’ rights and sovereignty in the WPS.
“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,” Tolentino said in a statement.
“This sanction is a badge of honor and a testament to my unwavering commitment to protect our national interest and our people’s dignity,” he added.
Tolentino also reaffirmed his support for Filipino fishermen and maritime forces, saying, “I stand firmly with the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and our brave fishermen who depend on these waters for their livelihood,” the former senator said.
“No foreign power can silence me or weaken my resolve to uphold our sovereignty. I am, and will always be, proud to be a Filipino,” he added.
‘Unjust’
Calling the sanction “unjust,” Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada urged the DFA to summon Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to explain the sanction imposed on Tolentino.
Estrada defended Tolentino’s authorship of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, both landmark measures aimed at reinforcing the country’s territorial integrity.
“Since when has crafting legislation that asserts our sovereign rights been considered egregious conduct?” Estrada said.
He noted that these legislative efforts had the support of fellow lawmakers and President Marcos himself.
“His actions were fully aligned with our democratic processes and legal frameworks,” he added.
Estrada said China’s sanction undermines mutual respect and regional stability, citing continued harassment of Filipino scientists, personnel and fisherfolk in the WPS despite the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines.
“For years, despite the arbitral ruling that favored our claims over portions of the West Philippine Sea, China has continued to bully, harass, and subject our maritime scientists, personnel, and fisherfolk to inhumane and provocative actions. It is appalling that efforts to defend our territorial claims are now being branded as ‘egregious conduct.’ China should be ashamed,” he said.
He also questioned whether similar sanctions would now be imposed on President Marcos for signing the two maritime laws.
“Critical voices are not threats to diplomacy; they are expressions of patriotic duty,” Estrada stressed. — Neil Jayson Servallos
