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

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

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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/175202727973320250325harapan-tolentino-francis-AC22.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Francis Tolentino during Harapan 2025 at the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City on March 25, 2025. <em>Alexis Carlo Corpuz, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE) </strong>— The Chinese Embassy to the Philippines said Tuesday that Beijing&#x27;s sanctions against former Sen. Francis Tolentino were within its &quot;legal prerogative.&quot;</p><p>In a statement, the embassy said that &quot;there are consequences for hurting China’s interests.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Tolentino’s malicious smear against China and instigation of confrontation will only backfire, and ultimately harm the interest of the Philippines and Filipino people,&quot; it said.</p><p>&quot;The Chinese government is firmly resolved to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/1/china-imposes-sanction-vs-tolentino-ex-senator-calls-it-badge-of-honor-1330">China imposes sanction vs Tolentino; ex-senator calls it &#x27;badge of honor&#x27;</a></div><p>China last week imposed sanctions on Tolentino over his &quot;egregious conduct on China-related issues.&quot; </p><p>It identified him among the &quot;handful of anti-China politicians in the Philippines.&quot;</p><p>Tolentino however said his actions were &quot;for defending the rights, dignity, and sovereignty of the Filipino people in the West Philippine Sea.&quot;</p><p>The embassy said in its statement that the Department of Foreign Affairs had been notified of sanctions on Tolentino.</p><p>The embassy said that &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;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/5/firm-denies-troll-farm-contract-with-chinese-embassy-1711">PR firm faces Senate, denies ‘troll farm’ contract with Chinese embassy</a></div><p>Tolentino has said that the sanction was &quot;a badge of honor&quot; and a &quot;testament to my unwavering commitment to protect our national interest and our people&#x27;s dignity.&quot;</p><p>&quot;No foreign power can silence me or weaken my resolve to uphold our sovereignty,&quot; he said.</p><p>In a separate interview, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said he would consider a similar sanction from China a &quot;badge of honor.&quot;</p><p>“I think that’s a badge of honor din kasi ibig sabihin, pag-aksayahan ka ng panahon ng China para sumulat ng pag-ban sa iyo,” he said.</p><p>Tarriela added that he has no intention of visiting China anyway.</p><p>The DFA summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to convey the Philippines&#x27; &quot;concern&quot; over China&#x27;s sanctions against Tolentino, Malacañang said Tuesday.</p><div><strong>—with a report from Jauhn Etienne Villaruel and Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong></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/Sw4I67lMH9s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Chinese Embassy to the Philippines said Tuesday that Beijing's sanctions against former Sen. Francis Tolentino were within its "legal prerogative."</p>

The Chinese Embassy to the Philippines said Tuesday that Beijing's sanctions against former Sen. Francis Tolentino were within its "legal prerogative."

China says sanctions against Tolentino within its legal prerogative

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China says sanctions against Tolentino within its legal prerogative

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Published Jul 09, 2025 10:24 AM PHT

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Updated Jul 09, 2025 02:34 PM PHT

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