MANILA — Malacañang said that the Philippines will uphold a “firm but diplomatic” approach in dealing with China, following a more confrontational stance by the Chinese Embassy in Manila over South China Sea issues.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said Beijing’s criticism of a Senate resolution denouncing the Chinese Embassy does not alter the administration’s position.

“Ang Pangulo po kasi ay rumirespeto sa kalayaan ng pamamahayag (The President respects freedom of expression),” Castro said in a press briefing on Feb. 11.

“Kung may kalayaan po ang China sa kanilang pamamahayag, ganoon din naman po ang sinuman na Pilipino at kung anuman din po ang inihayag ng Senado (If China has freedom in expressing its views, the same applies to Filipinos and whatever the Senate has expressed),” she added.

Castro reiterated that President Marcos’ approach toward Beijing remains unchanged. “At muli, uulitin po natin ang posisyon ng Pangulo patungkol po sa relasyon sa China — firm but diplomatic po (And again, we reiterate the President’s position on relations with China — firm but diplomatic),” she said, stressing that Malacañang does not see China’s condemnation of the Senate resolution as an attempt to silence lawmakers.

Despite observations that China’s new envoy has adopted a more combative tone, Castro said the Philippines will continue to rely on legal and diplomatic measures to resolve disputes.

“Hindi po kasi natin masasabi na ang pagiging palaban ay siyang magiging magandang solusyon para maayos kung anuman ang sigalot sa bansang China (We cannot say that being confrontational is the solution to resolving disputes with China),” she said.

“So, kung sila man ay palaban, mayroon naman po tayong paraan na ligal, diplomatic na puwedeng makapag-ayos ng anumang isyu (Even if they are confrontational, we have legal and diplomatic means to address issues),” Castro added.

The Palace official also stressed that while the government maintains a measured tone, President Marcos continues to assert the country’s sovereignty and interests. “The President says that we [have] a firm stance on our position with regard to our rights and interests over our own territory and over the West Philippine Sea,” she said.

Castro declined to specify what circumstances might prompt a stronger response, saying such matters fall under the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). “I will just leave the question to DFA,” she said.

On China’s decision to bar 16 local officials from Kalayaan from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, Castro said the issue is outside Philippine jurisdiction and referred inquiries to the DFA.

“Kung anuman po ang naging desisyon at polisiya ng China ay hindi naman po natin ito saklaw, katulad din po na hindi po nang hindi nila dapat masaklawan kung ano po ang nagiging desisyon ng administrasyon na ito (Whatever decision or policy China has made is not within our jurisdiction, just as they should not cover the decisions of this administration),” she said, adding that DFA officials would provide more information.

Castro also said the Palace has not yet taken a position on suggestions to file another arbitration case against China before the International Court of Justice. “Iyong ganyan pong suhestiyon ay hindi pa rin po naipaparating sa atin kung ano ang opinyon at ano po ang magiging take ng ating pamahalaan (That suggestion has not yet been relayed to us regarding the government’s opinion or position),” she said. “Pero ipapaabot po iyan lalung-lalo na po sa DFA (But it will be conveyed, especially to the DFA),” she added.