Philippine lawmakers have hurled accusations against some of their colleagues for allegedly taking a pro-China stand on the issue of the South China Sea.
In January, the Chinese embassy in Manila issued scathing statements directed against some Filipino officials for “mocking” China’s leader Xi Jinping and spreading “disinformation” on social media.
In a rejoinder, the Philippine Department of National Defense defended its officials for pointing out China’s repeated incursions in the West Philippine Sea, as Manila refers to its portion of the waterway.
“We shall not be cowed by any official of the People’s Republic of China whether in their homeland or as guests here, and we shall continue to speak against their lies and malign actions when such are committed,” the Department said in a statement.
There was a proposal declaring a Chinese envoy persona non grata but this was rejected by the office of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The issue reached the Senate when a resolution was filed expressing alarm at the Chinese embassy’s public statements attacking Filipino officials. Only 15 out of 24 senators signed the resolution, prompting the Senate president to comment about the pro-China stance of some of his colleagues. Some senators who did not sign the resolution asked for a public hearing to tackle the matter, while some insisted that sensitive topics relating to diplomacy should be left in the hands of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson did not hide his dismay at some of his fellow legislators. “If they keep their silence while Filipinos are being abused, but speak out when they think China is being maligned, then they’re really pro-China,” Lacson said.
“Our countrymen were being water cannoned, one lost a finger, and our ships were being harassed,” he added. “Why did they not show sympathy?”
A debate also ensued at the Senate plenary, with one senator being accused of “lawyering” for China. On social media, the pro-China senators were dubbed as “Chinador,” which is a wordplay for “China,” “traitors,” and “senators.”
At the House of Representatives, the minority leader delivered a speech calling for discipline and professionalism from government officials when addressing sensitive foreign policies, including the West Philippine Sea. This elicited a strong rebuke from a veteran member of the House who accused the Minority Leader of siding with China.
“I am insulted that a member of this Congress will stand up in favor of China,” said Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. He warned that he would call for an ethics probe if the minority leader did not withdraw the speech.
The minority leader denied that he is promoting China’s interests. “I am not defending China as I said in my speech,” he clarified. “What I am saying is that we have to act with professionalism, discipline, and manage our international relations properly,” he added.
The heated exchange of words in both chambers of Congress reflects how the “pro-China” narrative has become a powerful rhetoric to manifest nationalism and boost public support. Any stance perceived to be undermining the country’s maritime claims in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea is immediately called out for advancing the geopolitical agenda of China.
But the “pro-China” theme refers mainly to the maritime dispute between the two countries. Despite the “word war” among Filipino and Chinese officials and the continuing tension in the West Philippine Sea, there is no outrage or discrimination directed at the Chinese community in the Philippines. There is also no hatred expressed against the Chinese people.
China’s repeated harassment of Filipino fisherfolk will continue make the “pro-China” label a potent political weapon to demonize those who are critical of the decision of the Marcos government to intensify and expand U.S. military presence in the Philippines as a supposed deterrent to Chinese aggression in the country’s maritime territories.
The specter of foreign intervention was an issue that was raised during the 2025 midterm election. That lawmakers are openly and strongly castigating their fellow politicians for being “pro-China” provides a glimpse of how issues linked to China’s influence and activities in the country will animate the political debates ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
