A heated verbal showdown erupted Monday between Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Alan Cayetano over whether the Senate should adopt a resolution condemning China’s remarks against Philippine officials defending Manila’s maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Cayetano strongly opposed Senate Resolution 256, taking issue with the actions of Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela, who featured a caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping titled “Why China remains to be bully?” during a forum at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in January.

The Chinese embassy lodged two diplomatic protests against Tarriela, accusing him of “attacking and smearing” Xi, which constitutes a “blatant political provocation” that had “crossed the red line.” The embassy also lamented that Tarriela “persistently hyped up maritime issues, confounded right and wrong, misrepresented facts, incited confrontation, misled public opinion,” allegedly jeopardizing diplomatic efforts to strengthen China-Philippines ties and de-escalate tensions in the disputed South China Sea (SCS).

The resolution backs pronouncements by senators, members of the House of Representatives, and other state officials, such as Tarriela, in response to China’s verbal assaults against Philippine officials critical of Beijing’s claims over the SCS, which overlaps with the WPS.

“We cannot pass this resolution saying Commodore Tarriela is correct because he’s wrong,” Cayetano argued. “When democratic countries have generals who do that, it destroys the order. We’re coming off as childish.” He also called Tarriela’s actions “undiplomatic, reckless, and unprofessional.”

Meanwhile, Pangilinan, the resolution’s sponsor, contended that Tarriela was not mistaken and that Cayetano misinterpreted the intent of the caricature.

Cayetano countered that if the Senate followed such logic, his staff could also make a meme ridiculing Pangilinan. Visibly irked, Pangilinan responded, “I am not from China, why will your staff put a meme towards me? You’re comparing apples and oranges, Mr. President.”

Cayetano, nonetheless, stood firm against the resolution, arguing that Tarriela, as a key government official, could have responded better. He warned that adopting the resolution could heighten tensions with China, affecting overseas Filipino workers, the country’s economy, and moral decency.

Pangilinan remained steadfast, saying, “We stand behind our men in uniform, we oppose, and we condemn the lies, the disinformation, and the maligning being undertaken by China against senators, congressmen, against our men in uniform.”

After nearly three hours of debate, the Senate adopted the resolution. Unlike a bill, adoption of a resolution has no force of law.

Monday’s clash mirrored a similar exchange last week between Pangilinan and opposition Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who had raised concerns over the lack of clearly defined WPS boundaries. Pangilinan countered, citing the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing’s claims over the entire SCS in favor of the Philippines.