MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan called on Filipinos and government officials to set aside political differences and take a unified stand in defending the country’s sovereignty amid China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

Pangilinan made the call during his sponsorship speech for Senate Resolution No. 256, which condemns recent public statements issued by the Chinese Embassy, following criticism directed at him for defending the Philippines’ territorial and maritime rights against China’s expansive claims in the region.

“Ngayon, sa panahong tumitindi ang pandaigdigang tensyon, sinisiguro ko: magkakasangga tayo — Senado, DFA, Coast Guard, Armed Forces, BFAR, buong Sambayanang Pilipinas,” Pangilinan said during the Senate plenary session on January 27.

“Magkakasangga tayo laban sa pang-iinsulto, laban sa pagbangga sa pag wa-water cannon, at sa pakikipaghabulan sa ating mga mangingisda at sundalo. Iisa tayo, bilang isang Republika, na naninindigan para sa ating mga karapatan at dignidad,” he added.

Senate Resolution No. 256 has garnered support across party lines, with backing from Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senators Erwin Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, Win Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, JV Ejercito, Bam Aquino, Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid, Camille Villar, and Mark Villar.

In his speech, Pangilinan criticized an official of the Chinese Embassy for what he described as “undiplomatic and disrespectful” public statements against lawmakers, including himself, for remarks made in defense of Philippine sovereignty and maritime rights.

“By adopting this resolution, the Senate tells China, and the world, that this institution will not be cowed. That this institution will defend our nation’s sovereignty, that this institution will defend and uphold our Constitution as we swore to defend and uphold the Constitution,” Pangilinan said.

“We may hold differing views on many matters, yet in this we stand together: we uphold our officials when they speak on behalf of our nation, and we safeguard our institutions when they are disparaged by outsiders,” he added.

The senator said the Chinese Embassy’s recent statements form part of a “pattern” under a “wider strategy” to harass and intimidate those defending the Philippines, undermine the country’s 2016 Arbitral Tribunal victory, and assert China’s nine-dash-line claim.

“The arbitral award will not disappear. The nine-dash line has been rejected. That reality cannot be reversed by trolling, by insults, or by pressure,” Pangilinan said.

China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea have raised international concern over freedom of navigation in the region, where about one-third of global trade passes annually.

The West Philippine Sea, including Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, lies about 124 nautical miles from Luzon, while the same feature is more than 470 nautical miles from mainland China’s coast. Scarborough Shoal was the site of a standoff between the Philippines and China in 2012.