President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is opposed to calls to declare the Chinese diplomats to the Philippines persona non grata, Malacañang said on Friday, amid an ongoing heated exchange between Philippine officials and the Chinese Embassy over Beijing’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a chance interview with reporters, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said the President rejected proposals to expel Chinese diplomatic officials.

Further asked if Marcos was strongly opposed to the proposal, Castro reiterated the President’s position.

Several senators are considering filing a Senate resolution recommending that Marcos declare certain Chinese Embassy officials persona non grata.

In a radio interview, Senator Erwin Tulfo clarified that the Senate lacks the authority to declare a foreign diplomat persona non grata.

“The Senate has no such authority. That issue was raised, but it turns out only the President can declare a diplomat persona non grata,” Tulfo said.

“What we can do, and what we are contemplating, is to discuss filing a resolution declaring them persona non grata and recommending it to the Palace so the President can take action,” he added.

On Tuesday, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III floated the possibility of declaring Chinese Embassy deputy spokesperson Guo Wei persona non grata. However, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson immediately pointed out that such authority rests solely with the President as head of state.

Top diplomat targeted

Discussions have also included calls to declare Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian persona non grata, a move that drew a sharp response from the Chinese Embassy.

The embassy’s spokesperson warned that its entire 12-member media affairs and public diplomacy team would leave the country should such a declaration push through.