MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to summon Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian and formally protest Beijing’s move to sanction former Senator Francis Tolentino, saying it was an “unjust” act that disrespects Philippine sovereignty.

This comes after China barred Tolentino from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao, tagging him as an “anti-China” politician. In a statement, China’s foreign ministry accused Tolentino of making remarks and taking actions that allegedly undermined China’s interests and harmed China-Philippines relations.

Tolentino, in response, called the sanction a “badge of honor” for standing up for Filipinos’ rights, dignity, and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

“Since when has crafting legislation that asserts our sovereign rights been considered egregious conduct?” Estrada asked, defending Tolentino’s authorship of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act — two landmark laws backed by Congress and signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“His actions were fully aligned with our democratic processes and legal frameworks,” he said.

Estrada noted that despite the 2016 arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines, China has continued to “bully, harass, and subject our maritime scientists, personnel, and fisherfolk to inhumane and provocative actions.”

“China should be ashamed,” Estrada said. “It is appalling that efforts to defend our territorial claims are now being branded as ‘egregious conduct.’”

He emphasized that while imposing sanctions is within China’s prerogative, such moves undermine mutual respect and regional stability.

“Will they now impose the same sanctions on our President for signing into law Republic Act No. 120641 and Republic Act No. 120651?” he said.

Estrada concluded by saying that “critical voices are not threats to diplomacy; they are expressions of patriotic duty.”