00:00Apparently, the relatively new Chinese envoy to the country is tightly wound, too high-strung, and so out of touch
00:07on protocol and decorum expected of high-level foreign service officers or diplomats toward their host countries.
00:15Little wonder, certain senators of the republic are courting the idea of relief or replacement to help lower the temperature
00:23in the ongoing dispute in the West Philippine Sea, as our Luisa Arispe reports.
00:31Following a string of heated exchanges between the Chinese embassy and the Philippine government officials, some senators are now suggesting
00:39it might be time for a change in China's representation here in the country.
00:43Senator J.V. Ejercito says that instead of cooling things down, the current diplomatic standoff is now only getting worse.
01:12This isn't the first time the senators has called for a new ambassador, having raised the idea back when the
01:18Resolution 256 was first debated.
01:21on the Senate floor. He adds that even if they've only been stationed here a short while, they should still
01:27show proper respect to the Philippines.
01:29Sabi ko nga, in social diplomatic ways, kailangan mag-aal sa pag-uusap.
01:33Hindi naman natin kaya ang chill-up. Superpower sila. Third world na tayo.
01:37But we just have to make a stand and fight for our, what is, three hours.
01:44And sabi ko nga, so we're celebrating natin. It's worth fighting.
01:47Senator Rafi Tulfo agrees with Ejercito, noting that the new Chinese ambassador seems a bit too thick-skinned and aggressive
01:55at the same time.
01:56Nakuha pa nilang maging sensitive? Come on. Dapat kung gaano kakapal.
02:07Itong isa, masyado isang sensitive and aggressive at the same time, parang balat si Buyas, and agresibo siya sa kanya
02:14mga aksyon.
02:16Tulfo believes a fresh start with a new ambassador will be in the best interest of both countries.
02:21Wala naman akong rekomendatory power o wala akong authority para sabihing palitan.
02:27Pero it will be best for the interest of the Chinese and Philippine relationship na siguro magkaroon ng bagong ambasador.
02:34When asked if Malacanang should step in, the senator didn't give a direct yes or no, but he did emphasize
02:41that China's actions are already going too far.
02:44Itong China lang ay medyo lumalabi sa ata pagdating niya sa West Philippine Sea dahil may arbitral ruling na nga
02:52na sinasabi sa atin yung area na yun, matigas pa rin sila.
02:56And then ang masaklap, ulitin ko for the end time, na haras nabubuli yung ating mga fisher folks.
03:04Yun lang yun eh. Hindi lang mga fisher folks natin, pati Philippine Coast Guard.
03:08And remember, the Philippine Coast Guard represents the Filipino people.
03:12These suggestions from the Senate follow a recent back and forth where the Chinese embassy called out Senate President Vicente
03:20Soto III over accusations of rudeness.
03:22The embassy pointed the fact that at least one senator literally told their diplomats to get the F out.
03:29Also questioned how they could be called disrespectful when senators themselves are labeling China a bully and calling the embassy
03:36a troll farm.
03:38The embassy made it clear that they won't be swayed by resolutions or public complaints.
03:42As for Senate President Soto, he's keeping his cool, saying that if not reacting to provocation makes him annoying, he's
03:50perfectly fine with that.
03:51Luisa Erispe from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
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