ROBIN WANTS AUSTRALIAN SENATOR DECLARED PERSONA NON GRATA

SENATOR Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla on Monday condemned Australian Sen. Janet Rice for disrespecting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during his address before the Australian Parliament last week.

Padilla filed Senate Resolution 944, where he also called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to declare Rice as persona non grata, for her “unparliamentary behavior.”

“Resolved by the Senate, as it is hereby resolved, to condemn Australian Sen. Janet Rice and to urge the Department of Foreign Affairs to declare her as persona non grata for her unparliamentary behavior during President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.’s address before the Australian Parliament in Canberra,” he said.

He noted the incident occurred last Feb. 29, when Rice “engaged in unparliamentary behavior by expressing her dissent through an act of protest during the proceedings.”

Rice was directed “to leave the Chamber for disorderly behaviour,” he added, citing the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Australian Parliament.

In his resolution, Padilla pointed out this year marks the 78th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Australia, and that President Marcos’ visit there – upon the invitation of Governor General David Hurley – sought to strengthen both countries’ existing bonds.