Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Reelectionist senator Francis Tolentino during Harapan 2025 at the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City on March 25, 2025. Alexis Carlo Corpuz, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Tolentino

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175134732702220250325harapan-tolentino-francis-AC29.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former senator Francis Tolentino during Harapan 2025 at the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City on March 25, 2025. Alexis Carlo Corpuz, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former senator Francis Tolentino during Harapan 2025 at the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City on March 25, 2025. <em>Alexis Carlo Corpuz, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — China on Tuesday imposed sanctions on former Sen. Francis Tolentino over his &quot;egregious conduct on China-related issues,&quot; identifying him among the &quot;handful of anti-China politicians in the Philippines.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/12/china-carrying-out-maritime-occupation-in-west-philippine-sea-analyst-1326">China carrying out &#x27;maritime occupation&#x27; in West Philippine Sea: analyst</a></div><p>Beijing&#x27;s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced that sanctions against Tolentino include barring his entry to Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/8/marcos-signs-two-laws-reinforcing-philippine-rights-over-maritime-zones-1306">Marcos signs two laws reinforcing Philippine rights over maritime zones</a></div><p>&quot;For quite some time, driven by selfish interests, 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,&quot; the ministry said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/12/ph-says-it-s-under-pressure-from-china-to-cede-claims-in-south-china-sea-1601">PH says it&#x27;s under pressure from China to cede claims in South China Sea</a></div><p>China did not cite Tolentino&#x27;s particular actions that triggered the move, but the former senator has accused Beijing of espionage activities, harassment of Filipino fishermen, among others.</p><p>He also authored the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act in a bid to bolster the country&#x27;s claims in the West Philippine Sea.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/8/philippine-maritime-zones-act-at-archipelagic-sea-lanes-act-ganap-nang-mga-batas-1936">Philippine Maritime Zones Act at Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, ganap nang mga batas</a></div><p>In response, Tolentino said he acknowledged China&#x27;s sanctions, but stood firm that his actions were &quot;for defending the rights, dignity, and sovereignty of the Filipino people in the West Philippine Sea.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/26/tolentino-eyes-regular-assessment-of-workers-to-rid-ph-of-china-s-sleeper-cells-1555">Tolentino eyes ‘regular assessment’ of workers vs China spies, sleeper cells</a></div><p>He said China&#x27;s sanction was a &quot;badge of honor.&quot;</p><p>&quot;This sanction is a badge of honor and a testament to my unwavering commitment to protect our national interest and our people&#x27;s dignity. No foreign power can silence me or weaken my resolve to uphold our sovereignty,&quot; he said. </p><p>The Department of Foreign Affairs says it has &quot;noted the measures imposed by China on a Filipino national.&quot;</p><p>&quot;While these measures are legally within China’s prerogative, they are not conducive to mutual efforts to restore mutual trust and improve bilateral relations,&quot; they added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;SUMMON CHINESE AMBASSADOR&#x27;</strong></div><p>In a statement, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada defended his former colleague, saying Tolentino was &quot;well within his mandate&quot; to craft laws in favor of the Philippines&#x27; maritime entitlements.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/7/chinese-envoy-hopes-people-will-help-bring-ph-china-relations-back-to-even-better-future-0209">Chinese envoy hopes people will help bring PH-China relations &#x27;back to even better future&#x27;</a></div><p>&quot;Since when has crafting legislation that asserts our sovereign rights been considered egregious conduct?&quot; Estrada asked.</p><p>&quot;It is appalling that efforts to defend our territorial claims are now being branded as &#x27;egregious conduct.&#x27; China should be ashamed,&quot; the senator added.</p><p>Estrada asked the DFA to summon China&#x27;s ambassador to the Philippines.</p><p>&quot;I urge the Department of Foreign Affairs to summon Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian to explain this unjust move and to formally convey our government&#x27;s strong displeasure over the imposition of sanctions,&quot; he said.</p><div><strong>— W</strong><strong>ith a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ux5zFK-IUNE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Former Sen. Francis Tolentino said China's sanction was a "badge of honor."</p>

China imposes sanction vs Tolentino; ex-senator calls it 'badge of honor'

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China imposes sanction vs Tolentino; ex-senator calls it 'badge of honor'

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 01, 2025 01:30 PM PHT

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Updated July 01, 2025 05:47 PM PHT

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Francis Tolentino

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