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Senator Robin Padilla described Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan in a positive light following their recent meeting at a business forum.
On Facebook, Padilla said Jing was educated, a gentleman, and a straight-forward person amid calls by some of his colleagues in the Senate that the Chinese envoy be declared persona non grata.
Jing has been drawing criticism after saying last week that China would win if it used force in the West Philippine Sea, something that he said his country would not do.
He has been summoned to the Department of Foreign Affairs by Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro.
“Isang malaking pagkakataon ito upang makausap nang personal ang Ambassador ng China na si Ginoong Jing Quan. Edukado, gentleman, at diretsong kausap ang Ginoong Tsino,” the senator said.
(This is a great opportunity to speak in person with the Chinese Ambassador, Mr. Jing Quan. He is an educated, gentlemanly individual who is direct in his communication.)
“Mainam na maging personal at harapan ang pakikipag-usap sa kanya upang maiwasan ang hidwaan dulot ng mga palitan ng salita na hindi makapagdudulot ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran,” he added.
(Talking with him personally and face-to-face is a good approach to avoid conflict that might arise from exchanges of words that do not contribute to peace and progress.)
Padilla also thanked the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. for inviting him as a guest at the 2026 ASEAN-Chinese Business Leaders Summit.
So far, two resolutions have been filed in the Senate---one by Senator Erwin Tulfo, and another by Senator Risa Hontiveros---seeking to declare the Chinese Ambassador as persona non grata.
This came after Jing was quoted in an interview saying, "If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not use force. You know, we love peace, and in this region, we enjoy the peace."
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Jing’s words “sounds very much like a threat,” and is “not a very diplomatic statement to be made.” —NB, GMA News