MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robinhood Padilla’s office on Friday said the “racist and demeaning” content published by China Daily on the 2016 West Philippine Sea arbitral award is “unacceptable and deserves unequivocal condemnation.”
“Freedom of expression and political discourse must never become an excuse for racism, dehumanization, or attacks on the dignity of any people,” Padilla’s office said in a statement.
“Depicting Filipinos in such an offensive manner is unacceptable and deserves unequivocal condemnation,” it added.
READ: DFA demands removal of China Daily video depicting Filipinos as monkeys
The statement came in support of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)’s condemnation of the materials published by China Daily, a Chinese state-run media outlet.
In a statement on Thursday, the DFA called out China Daily’s July 10 video on the arbitral award depicting Filipinos as monkeys.
The foreign affairs department demanded that the media outlet take down the materials, saying disagreements over legal and political issues do not justify China Daily’s use of such imagery which the DFA described as “deeply offensive, distressing, and unacceptable.”
Padilla’s office likewise echoed the call for the immediate removal of the said materials.
The office also cited Padilla’s position that the Philippines should pursue peaceful dialogue, mutual respect and constructive engagement with all nations, including China, without compromising the country’s national dignity and sovereignty.
It further affirmed the need to defend the Philippines’ “lawful rights and interests” in the West Philippine Sea while pursuing peace and stability in the region.
“Patriotism and diplomacy are not mutually exclusive; a nation can stand firm on its principles while extending respect to others,” the office said.
READ: 15 senators cross party lines, sign reso vs Chinese embassy remarks
The office’s statement also comes amid renewed scrutiny of Padilla’s position on China, after actress Angel Locsin recently criticized the senator over his stance on various political matters.
In a social media post, Locsin expressed disappointment over Padilla’s position on China, among others, and urged him to reconsider, saying, “Tama na, Kuya. Gising na. Hindi pa huli ang lahat.” (“Enough, Kuya. Wake up. It’s not yet too late.”)
READ: Angel Locsin slams ‘Kuya’ Robin Padilla: ‘Gising na, ‘di pa huli ang lahat’
Six months earlier, Padilla was also among the senators who did not sign a Senate resolution condemning remarks by the Chinese embassy against Philippine officials and institutions over positions taken in defense of the country’s sovereignty and maritime rights.
However, during Senate deliberations on the matter, Padilla for his part said he did not condone the Chinese embassy speaking disrespectfully about Philippine officials. He argued that Philippine officials should likewise refrain from disrespecting Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Padilla had appealed for mutual respect, saying he would similarly object if a foreign country demeaned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. /das
The post Padilla’s office: China Daily’s ‘racist’ video unacceptable appeared first on Inquirer.net.
