A heated verbal showdown erupted between Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Alan Cayetano on Monday over whether the Senate should pass a contentious resolution condemning China’s indecent remarks against their colleagues, who fired back at Beijing in defense of Manila’s maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Cayetano strongly opposed the adoption of Senate Resolution 256, as he took issue with the actions of the Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the WPS, Jay Tarriela. He was specifically referring to a caricature of Chinese President Xi Jinping titled “Why China remains a bully?” that Tarriela featured in his presentation during a forum at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in January.

The 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 lamented that Tarriela “persistently hyped up maritime issues, confounded right and wrong, misrepresented facts, incited confrontation, misled public opinion,” which allegedly jeopardizes diplomatic efforts for stronger China-Philippines bilateral ties and to 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 the Chinese embassy’s ongoing verbal assaults against Philippine officials who are critical of Beijing’s continued assertions of the entire SCS, which overlaps with the West Philippine Sea.

“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.” 

Cayetano also criticized Tarriela’s  actions as “undiplomatic, reckless, and unprofessional.”

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

Cayetano, however, asserted that if the Senate were to apply such a logic, then his staff could also make a meme ridiculing Pangilinan.

Visibly irked, Panglinan 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 with his position against the resolution’s adoption, contending that Tarriela, being a key official of the government, could have responded better. 

The opposition solon also warned that if the resolution is adopted, it could heighten tensions between the Philippines and China, affecting overseas Filipino workers, the country’s already ailing economy, and moral decency.

Pangilinan, however, remained unfazed, 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 a three-hour verbal spat, the session ended with the Senate adopting the resolution.

Unlike a bill, adoption of a resolution has no effect or force of law. 

Monday’s showdown mimicked a familiar scene last week between Pangilinan and another opposition senator, Rodante Marcoleta.

Pangilinan and Marcoleta also locked horns over the alleged lack of a definite extent of WPS, with the latter stressing the need for clear maritime boundaries to prevent further difficulties with China. 

Pangilinan, however, countered that there’s no longer a need to clarify territorial limits concerning the WPS, citing the 2016 arbitral ruling that settled the issue and invalidated Beijing’s claims on the entire SCS in favor of the Philippines.