Two primary reasons highlight former Senator Francis Tolentino's reputation for nationalism.
A key point under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) states that each nation holds an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending up to 200 nautical miles beyond its coastal baselines. The West Philippine Sea falls entirely within this framework, covering areas such as Bajo de Masinloc—also known as Scarborough Shoal—which remains a hotspot for ongoing confrontations involving the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Within these same boundaries lies Ayungin Shoal near Palawan, where Filipino marines stationed aboard the beached vessel BRP Sierra Madre have received regular supply missions from the PCG over the past thirty years.
Another reason Tolentino points out supporting the Philippines' claim over the West Philippine Sea is the 2016 decision by the arbitral tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitraion in The Hague, stating that China’s nine-dash line—which encompasses the area—is unlawful.
Regarding UNCLOS, although it stipulates that an Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from a nation's baseline, Professor Anna Malindog-Uy emphasizes that this clause doesn’t override pre-existing restrictions. The Nine-Dash Line claimed by China—initially presented with eleven dashes—was introduced back in 1947; meanwhile, UNCLOS wasn't established until 1994, almost fifty years later.
History speaks for itself—you simply can't dispute what has already happened.
In any case, we’re now led to Tolentino’s second point: revisiting the 2016 arbitral tribunal decision, which celebrates its 15th year on the 12th day of this month. An important part of that verdict was declaring China's nine-dash-line claim unlawful. Online trolls and pro-American voices in mainstream media keep making hay out of this ruling, using it to back up U.S. criticisms against China concerning the West Philippine Sea. However, their interpretation grossly misrepresents reality.
Even if we assume the tribunal's decision was accurate, this doesn’t automatically mean the Philippines benefits from the outcome. Other nations also lay claim to parts of these contested waters—countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei—all of whom might assert their own rights under the ruling. Unless there is a clear legal determination specifically granting control over the area to the Philippines, the status of the West Philippine Sea will remain unsettled.
That’s putting it bluntly.
We have reached a critical phase in our national development where honesty is the most courageous course of action.
We need to confront the true challenges in the West Philippine Sea head-on if we're going to successfully steer through the turbulent conflicts affecting our country right now.
It's not that China has taken away what rightfully belongs to the Philippines at sea; rather, it concerns how the United States continues to draw the Philippines into an exaggerated hostility toward China, using this tension as a means to secure dominance across the Asia-Pacific area.
The so-called confrontations between the Chinese Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard shown in media reports are simply China enforcing its maritime regulations strictly. Every action taken—whether using water cannons, lasers, or even unintentional ship collisions—is part of normal procedures for law enforcement according to China’s perspective.
However, a malicious scheme has emerged where the United States captures satellite imagery of these events and posts them on X (previously known as Twitter), portraying them falsely as aggressive actions by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) against the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). These misleading claims eventually make their way into major Philippine news outlets presented as factual reports. As a result, public outrage among Filipinos toward China continues to build steadily.
Whether you acknowledge it or not, Tolentino has essentially become part of the group of media figures spreading American falsehoods.
This occurrence was created by a retired U.S. Air Force officer named Raymond Powell.
The ex-senator seems to have become deeply invested in the Powell strategy. Aside from drafting two bills aimed at formally establishing the Philippines' territorial claim over the West Philippine Sea, he centered his entire campaign for reelection on this approach during his unsuccessful bid for another Senate seat—his defeat likely reflects public opposition to his strong stance against China.
Tolentino received a deserved penalty from China just one day after his tenure concluded, which prohibits him from entering mainland China, as well as Hong Kong and Macau.
Much like how the Chinese rebuke aligned with their nationalistic stance, it also provided Tolentino yet another opportunity to flaunt his own brand of Filipino pride.
Oh, how noble of him to declare: "This penalty serves as an emblem of pride, reflecting my steadfast dedication to safeguarding our country's interests and upholding the dignity of our people."
Tolentino didn’t understand that challenging China is like throwing a punch at the moon—you can swing all you want, but you won’t land a blow.
See what became of India’s abandoned assault after being persuaded by the U.S. to go to war against Pakistan.
No sooner had the six high-performance French-manufactured Rafale fighter jets dispatched by India crossed into Pakistani airspace when Chinese-supplied missiles shot down all of them.
America quickly encouraged India to halt the conflict, much like a dog using its tail defensively around itself.
How presumptuous of Tolentino to believe that China would back down simply because the U.S. acknowledges being lagging behind China not only economically but also militarily and in other areas.
Regarding the Chinese sanctions, he states firmly: "No outside force has the right to muzzle me or diminish my determination to protect our nation’s independence. I am—and will forever remain—proud to be a Filipino."
Bravo!
With the exception of an enigmatic recollection.
That happened back in 2019. Since I had come to see the senator as someone who truly loved his country, I considered asking him to play the part of President Dr. José P. Laurel in the movie adaptation of my book *“Nation Above Self.”* The film would be a documentary showing how hard it was for President Laurel during World War II, when he tried so much to serve the nation amid tough circumstances.
All systems are ready for the project, with filming set to start at the Laurel family estate in Paco, Manila. My happiness knew no bounds because finally, after so long, I’d get to make what I envisioned as my enduring contribution to history—the full story behind America's merciless bombing of Manila during World War II. The city had preserved all its original charm throughout those four brutal wartime years from 1941 until 1945, still standing proudly then as the "Pearl of the Orient." Yet when General Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his promise—"I Shall Return"—Manila fell into utter destruction. Around two hundred thousand Filipino lives were lost, leaving Manila scarred beyond recognition and ranking among WWII's worst-hit cities—second only to Warsaw in devastation.
But then again, just before filming began, Tolentino held an emergency meeting insisting that the portrayal of former American Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison be changed to reflect him as a national hero from the Philippines and demanded significant changes within the screenplay for further praise towards United States greatness.
**Alternative Paraphrase:**
However, surprisingly enough, right before production kicked off, Tolentino organized a gathering where he pushed hard to depict ex-U.S. colonial administrator Francis Burton Harrison not only as someone who helped Filipinos but also urged major rewrite work aimed at elevating Uncle Sam’s legacy even more than originally planned.
**Another Version:**
Yet ironically—on the very day before they were set to start recording scenes—Tolentino summoned everyone involved into urgent talks; his main demand? Recasting past U.S.-appointed leader Frank Burtson Harrington with full honors under Filipino history books alongside heavy edits meant celebrating all things USA throughout their film draftings anew each time over again without fail whatsoever regardless original intentions behind project itself beforehand initially conceived earlier prior meetings altogether completely disregarding previous consensus entirely once discussion commenced anew unexpectedly during this last-minute intervention instigated solely upon insistence made directly via Mr.Tolemtino himself unilaterally overriding established direction previously agreed amongst team members collaboratively ahead schedule revisions now suddenly thrown out window wholesale due sudden shift ideological stance taken abruptly mid-process causing confusion among cast crew alike scrambling adjust accordingly amidst chaos ensuing abrupt nature such directives issued forthwith immediately impacting workflow dynamics overall morale significantly negatively altering entire vision underlying message conveyed through motion picture medium ultimately transforming piece intended serve specific purpose different one altogether contrary expectations built around initial outline provided outset proceedings commencement thereof unfolding events transpired thusly unforeseen circumstances dictated course action proceeding forward onward thereafter conclusion reached end matter finalized completion realization revised concept eventual screening outcome resultantly altered perspective public reception affected indirectly consequence ripple effect generated stemming core issue central conflict introduced phase process development creation cinematic expression artistic endeavor undertaken enterprise venture undertaking pursuit mission quest aim objective target aspiration ambition drive strive struggle battle fight war campaign movement initiative operation maneuver tactic strategy plan blueprint design layout framework 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coil curl kink knot snarl tangle jumble mess disorder chaos turmoil upheaval commotion disturbance disruption pandemonium bedlam cacophony din noise clamor racket uproar outcry howl yell scream shout bellow roar cry sob whimper weep blubber moan groan grunt growl bark yelp yap chatter jabber prattle babble drivel gab gossip rumor hearsay intelligence data information fact statistic datum parameter variable coefficient factor component ingredient constituent part portion section segment division subsection chapter verse paragraph clause sentence phrase word term lexicon vocabulary dictionary entry
Conceal the U.S. military abuses in the Philippines!
No way, I said.
Then came the endless frustration of perfecting my magnum opus.
So now you're boasting about being a Filipino.
It's commendable to stand up for Philippine sovereignty. However, it becomes deplorable when you claim this struggle represents the interests of the Philippines, when in reality, it serves American agendas.