Senator Robin Padilla on Monday condemned the use of caricatures of Chinese President Xi Jinping by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, saying the images appeared to mock the Chinese leader.
During the Senate plenary session, Padilla said such actions were inappropriate and stressed that showing disrespect toward a foreign leader risks provoking a similar response and could undermine diplomatic efforts.
“Kaya kung ano man po ang ginawa ni Admiral Tarriela, ay pinakiusapan ko po siya na huwag niya ulitin. Sapagkat pag nambastos ka, e babastusin ka rin talaga. Wala po tayong magagawa sapagkat duty ng kahit na sino na ipagtanggol ang kanilang Pangulo,” Padilla said.
The senator explained that the Chinese Embassy’s statement condemning certain Philippine officials stemmed from the use of President Xi’s image in a cartoon criticizing the dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Padilla emphasized that while he understands the strong sentiments surrounding the issue, making caricatures of a sitting head of state crosses a line.
Padilla said he would take the same stance if similar mockery were directed at Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., regardless of political affiliations. Although he is allied with former president Rodrigo Duterte, Padilla said respect for the presidency must transcend political divisions.
“Kung ‘yan ginawa ng China sa ating Pangulo na si Bongbong Marcos, ako'y oposisyon, pero gagawin nila yan kay Bongbong, ay unang-una po ako magagalit. Sapagkat hindi ako papayag na babuyin ng kahit na sino ang Pangulo ng Pilipinas,” he said.
“Hindi ako papayag na gawan ng karikatur, kahit ako'y oposisyon, na gawan ng ganyan ang ating Pangulo. Sapagkat ang Pangulo ng isang bansa, yan po ang tinatawag nating representasyon ng ating bayan, katumbas ng bandila.”
Amid rising maritime tensions over WPS, Padilla also said the PCG is capable of defending itself against Chinese vessels, particularly in incidents involving water cannoning.
“Matagal ko na rin sinabi na may budget naman ang Coast Guard, ba't di kayo bumili ng mas malakas na water cannon at gumanti kayo? Hindi naman po pwede na lagi tayong magpapaawa,” Padilla emphasized.
“Kung dalawa kayong white ship at nagbombahan kayo ng tubig, walang issue ’yan, walang escalation ’yan dahil pareho kayong tanod-baybayin, pareho kayong nagpo-protektahan ng coast natin,” Padilla said.
Despite his strong statements, Padilla expressed hope that the dispute between the Chinese Embassy and Philippine officials would soon come to an end.
He acknowledged the positions taken by fellow senators, including Senator Risa Hontiveros, but said advocating for peaceful dialogue often comes at a political cost.
“Sa usapin na ito, ako po ay tatanggapin ko kung ano ang sasabihin ng mga tao sa akin, kung sasabihin nilang, oh, pro-China yan. Okay lang po, wala pong problema,” he said.
Padilla appealed to Tarriela not to repeat the act, stressing that insulting a foreign leader invites retaliation and undermines diplomatic norms.
He added that defending one’s president is a duty of any nation.
Meanwhile, during the same plenary session, fifteen senators have signed a proposed Senate Resolution No. 256 condemning the statements of the Chinese Embassy in Manila against certain Filipino government officials and institutions who criticized Beijing’s aggressive actions and defended the country's sovereignty.
The following senators signed the Senate Resolution No. 256:
- Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III
- Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
- Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri
- Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan
- Risa Hontiveros
- Erwin Tulfo
- Raffy Tulfo
- Sherwin Gatchalian
- Loren Legarda
- JV Ejercito
- Jinggoy Estrada
- Bam Aquino
- Lito Lapid
- Camille Villar
- Mark Villar
The Chinese Embassy in Manila earlier summoned the Philippine ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz over what it described as “inflammatory and confrontational” remarks made by Tarriela.
