Diplomacy is not a sign of weakness, says Palace
Philippine News Agency
By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
August 29, 2025, 3:20 pm
MANILA -- Diplomacy is not tantamount to weakness, Malacañang said on Friday, following calls for the Philippine government to reconsider its stance on the "One China" policy amid Beijing's continued incursions and aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
"Ang katapangan ay hindi nadadaan sa buntalan. Ang pagiging diplomatic ay hindi nagpapakita ng kahinaan (Courage is not proven through fistfights. Being diplomatic does not show weakness)," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters.
"Ang direktiba ng Pangulo ay diplomacy at rule-based approach. At sinabi rin naman ng Pangulo na we are not waging any war at sinabi rin niya na hindi tayo uurong sa anumang labanan (The President's directive is diplomacy and rules-based approach. And he said we are not waging any war, but he also said we will not retreat from any battle)."
This comes after Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday stressed the need for the Philippines to rethink its position, lamenting that the country seems to be allowing itself to "be bullied in the name of diplomacy."
The Chinese Ministry of Defense has labeled the Philippines as a "troublemaker" in the South China Sea, following its recent activities aimed at strengthening defense cooperation with allied countries, such as the United States and Australia.
Asked for comment, Castro said the Philippines cannot stop China from "making its own narrative."
"But they cannot also stop us from fighting for our rights based on laws, UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), arbitral ruling, and for our being (an) independent country," she said.
On Thursday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines will continue to rely on diplomacy and dialogue in dealing with China over the WPS. (PNA)
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