Trouble should be seen as opportunity for diplomacy, says Cayetano
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano delivers his privilege speech, which he dubbed “Kontra SONA,” during the Senate plenary session at the Senate Session Hall in Pasay City on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — Trouble should be seen as an opportunity for diplomacy, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said on Sunday.
Cayetano’s remark came after Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan said that China can easily win a confrontation with the Philippines, but stressed that Beijing will not use force.
In a social media livestream, Cayetano said he will not comment for now on the ambassador’s statement, but he called on Filipinos to be pro-Philippines.
“I am telling you, we should stand up for our rights, both our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” Cayetano, a former foreign affairs chief, said.
“Trouble should be seen as an opportunity for order, an opportunity for better relations, an opportunity for discussions or diplomacy,” he added.
The senator stressed that one cannot make wrong decisions by having a pro-Philippines stance.
“Kahit heat of the moment, kahit na talagang kailangang gawin ‘yung kailangan gawin, kapag pro-Philippines tayo, alam natin interes ng Pilipinas,” Cayetano said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier condemned Quan over his remarks that, it said, appeared to convey a “thinly veiled threat.”
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, meanwhile, accused China of intimidation.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of Manila, invalidating Beijing’s vast claims in the South China Sea, which encroach on parts of the West Philippine Sea.
Despite the ruling, China continues its intrusion into Philippine territory.