Sit-down meet between senators, China diplomats eyedMANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday said he would propose a formal sit-down meeting between senators and officials of the Chinese embassy to de-escalate the weeks-long exchange of heated rhetoric regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS). He suggested the meeting could be held at the Senate, the embassy grounds or a neutral venue. The senator emphasized that the dialogue should ideally include colleagues who have been the subject of the embassy’s recent tirades, such as Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan. The Makabayan bloc was reacting to the recent warning of the Chinese embassy that moves by some Philippine senators to target Chinese diplomats could jeopardize economic ties and cost millions of jobs. “China’s government should dial down their rhetoric as well as cease their aggressive actions,” the Makabayan bloc said in a statement.

Source: Philippine Star February 14, 2026 16:36 UTC