EX-SENATOR TOLENTINO ON CHINA, HONG KONG, MACAO ENTRY BAR: ‘BADGE OF HONOR’

FORMER senator Francis Tolentino described as ‘badge of honor’ the sanction China has imposed on him.

China banned Tolentino from entering its mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao for his alleged “egregious conduct” on China-related issues.

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson issued the ban announcement a day after Tolentino’s term as Philippine senator ended.

Beijing’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on its website, accused Tolentino of being anti-China.

“China decides to impose sanctions on former Philippines senator Francis Tolentino for his egregious conduct on China-related issues and prohibit him from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao,” the statement posted on Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website read.

Tolentino, meanwhile, said no foreign forces can keep him silent.

He said he will continue to fight for what rightfully belongs to the Philippines as he stand firmly with the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Filipino fishermen who depend on Philippine waters for their livelihood.

“This sanction is a badge of honor and a testament to my unwavering commitment to protect our national interest and our people’s dignity,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino, who lost in his reelection bid last May polls, recently led Senate hearings into alleged Chinese surveillance operations in the Philippines.

He authored the Philippine Maritime Zones Act – a law that gives legislative recognition to the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award, which ruled that the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone belonged solely to the country- and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act – which prescribes sea lanes where vessels could traverse, which includes routes in the West Philippine Sea.