China Sanctions Former Filipino Lawmaker Over South China Sea Dispute

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Jul 3, 2025 - 10:08 Updated: Jul 3, 2025 - 09:59
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China Sanctions Former Filipino Lawmaker Over South China Sea Dispute
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The Chinese regime sanctioned a former Filipino senator on July 1 over alleged “egregious conduct” regarding China-related issues, a decision that has drawn condemnation from officials in Manila.

Francis Tolentino, who served as the Senate majority leader before losing his bid for a second term in the May midterm elections, is known for defending his country’s claims in the South China Sea. He authored two bills aimed at strengthening Manila’s maritime sovereignty and establishing sea lanes for passing foreign vessels. The Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act were signed into law in November 2024.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas that the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that Beijing’s sweeping maritime claims have no basis in international law.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has rejected the ruling and continued to assert its territorial claims through aggressive actions, drawing international condemnation.

Under the sanction, Tolentino is banned from entering China, including Macau and Hong Kong, according to China’s foreign ministry.

“A handful of anti-China politicians in the Philippines have made malicious remarks and moves on issues related to China that are detrimental to China’s interests and China–Philippines relations,” the ministry stated, without providing a specific example.

In response, Tolentino released a statement on social media platform X, calling the sanction “a badge of honor.”

“I acknowledge the sanctions imposed on me by China for defending the rights, dignity, and sovereignty of the Filipino people in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

“I have fought—and will continue to fight—for what rightfully belongs to our nation. I stand firmly with the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and our brave fishermen who depend on these waters for their livelihood.

“No foreign power can silence me or weaken my resolve to uphold our sovereignty.”

Claire Castro, Philippine communications undersecretary, said at a news briefing on July 2 that every Filipino who stands up for the country will not be silenced, according to the Philippine News Agency.

“We will not yield even an inch of our territory to a foreign power,” Castro said, according to the news outlet.

The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs has criticized Beijing for imposing a travel sanction on Tolentino.

“While these measures are legally within China’s prerogative, they are not conducive to mutual efforts to restore mutual trust and improve bilateral relations,” the department said in a statement.

Jinggoy Estrada, Philippine Senate president pro tempore, called Beijing’s decision an “unjust move” and urged his country’s foreign ministry to summon Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, according to a statement.

“For years, despite the Arbitral Ruling that favored our claims over portions of the West Philippine Sea, China has continued to bully, harass, and subject our maritime scientists, personnel, and fisherfolk to inhumane and provocative actions,” Estrada said.

“It is appalling that efforts to defend our territorial claims are now being branded as ‘egregious conduct.’”

Terry Ridon, a member of the Philippines House of Representatives, said Manila should take a “commensurate and proportional response,” according to a statement.

“It should similarly impose similar travel sanctions on current or previous high-level Chinese officials who had been undertaking disinformation against [Philippine] interests in the West Philippine Sea,” Ridon said.

During a Senate hearing in April, Tolentino presented documents accusing the Chinese Embassy in Manila of conducting an online disinformation campaign in the country by allegedly contracting a local marketing company.
In a statement following U.S. President Donald Trump’s election victory in November 2024, Tolentino said he would like to see a “stronger” relationship between Washington and Manila.

“Trump’s focus on revitalizing the American economy should extend to greater stability in global affairs, which should augur well for the Philippines,” he said.

“Ultimately, what I hope to see under ‘Trump 2.0’ is the opening of a stronger and more dynamic chapter in the enduring relations between the [United States] and the Philippines.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Correction: A previous version of this article misspelled the name of Philippine Rep. Terry Ridon. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
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