MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers who asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expel or declare Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata are "not welcome" in China, the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday said.
The embassy shared on social media and on its group chat with reporters the proposed resolution of Sen. Risa Hontiveros urging the President to declare Jing persona non grata or "to request his recall" by Beijing.
It also shared the call by some members of the House of Representatives for the President "to give serious consideration" to their appeal "for the expulsion of Ambassador Jing Quan."
The lawmakers who issued and backed the statement included: Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, Cielo Lagman, Karl Legazpi, Mark Anthony Santos, Zia Alonto Adiong, Chel Diokno, and Dadah Kiram Ismula.
"The ambassador has clearly overstayed his welcome. We should no longer host a foreign envoy whose statements and conduct have shown disregard for our country's sovereignty," they said in a joint statement.
Asked what measures the embassy took to address the lawmakers' demand, an embassy official said, "At least at they are not welcome in China."
"Take it as it is," another embassy staff said.
The embassy declined to clarify if the concerned lawmakers were banned from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau just like Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, former senator Francis Tolentino, and 16 Palawan municipal officials.
Other lawmakers slammed Jing when he said in a chance interview last week in Quezon City, that China "may easily win" if a confrontation arises with the Philippines over the maritime dispute in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. But he said China would not resort to using force since "we love peace."
Malacanang on Monday said the President would not want to declare any diplomat persona non grata amid calls from some lawmakers to Jing amid his "veiled threat" against the Philippines.
"We know the President's perspective — he would not wish to make this kind of declaration against any foreign representative here in our country," Presidential Communication Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
"Whatever the opinions of other leaders or senators may be, we respect their sentiments and opinions," the Palace press officer said.
"But still, as we have said, the President does not act in an undiplomatic manner. We know that the President is the President," Castro said in Filipino.
She added, "Everything he says can affect our country and our fellow citizens. That is why the President is not aggressive in his views regarding any foreign relations and international engagements."
The President, Castro said, would not prevent any legislator from calling out Jing "because, after all, we have freedom of expression."
"So, whatever it is they are feeling, we cannot stop them from what they mention, but on the part of the President, again, we repeat, negotiations with any country must be diplomatic," she said.
