The Chinese embassy said there is no need for a Senate resolution to declare its deputy spokesperson persona non grata, stressing that only President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has the authority to declare Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan as such.
Embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng said the ambassador bears responsibility for all actions of the mission and added that he and the entire media team would stand or leave together if ordered.
The Senate has suspended action on a resolution seeking to declare deputy spokesperson Wei Guo persona non grata amid a heated exchange with Philippine officials.
House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said public sentiment supports President Marcos’ firm, law-based, and diplomatic approach in defending the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea, stressing it is about sovereignty and rule of law, not being anti-China.
Meanwhile, Sen. Imee Marcos urged officials to exercise restraint in public statements, warning that reckless rhetoric could harm bilateral relations and national interests.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 29, 2026
