Senator Robinhood 'Robin' Padilla has filed a resolution seeking to declare Australian Senator Janet Rice, who staged a silent protest against President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., a persona non grata.
Under Senate Resolution 944 filed on March 4, Padilla condemned Rice for the "unparliamentary behavior" she displayed when Marcos delivered his speech in a joint session of the Parliament of Australia last week.
"Greens Senator Janet Rice engaged in unparliamentary behavior by expressing her dissent through an act of protest during the proceedings," he said, adding that Rice was escorted out the chamber "for disorderly behavior."
For this reason, Padilla asked the foreign affairs department to declare the Australian senator persona non grata.
"RESOLVED, FURTHER, to furnish a copy of this Resolution to the office of Hon. Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, for his information and appropriate action," he said.
Rice held up a placard that says "STOP THE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES" during Marcos' speech on February 28.
The Australian senator told Sky News Australia that she will not be silent on human rights abuses in the country that she said began under former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's admin and continued up to Marcos' admin.
She contended that the Philippine president "should not have been invited" by the Australian government.
Kabataan Party-List Rep. Raoul Manuel earlier thanked Rice for her courageous protest.
Salamat, Australian Senator @janet_rice! 👏👏👏
— Raoul Manuel #Kabataan (@iamRaoulManuel) February 29, 2024
She held up this placard while PH chief executive Ferdinand Marcos Jr was delivering a speech in a joint session of the Australian Parliament (congress).
What is the human rights record of his regime so far?
1/🧵
📷 Mick Tsikas pic.twitter.com/aEkkKKUvhq
“Persona non grata” is a Latin term that translates to an "unwelcome person.”
