According to the Philippine Star on July 1st,  Former senator Francis Tolentino said that the sanction China has imposed on him is a "badge of honor."  Earlier the day, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced sanctions against Tolentino, barring him from entering Chinese mainland, as well as the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions.

(The Philippine Star posts the article "Tolentino: China sanction a 'badge of honor'")

In response, Tolentino publicly declared that the sanctions were a "badge of honor," affirming his firm stance. He also stated he would "continue to fight" and stand alongside the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and local fishermen.

At the regular press briefing that afternoon, when asked about the sanctions by a foreign journalist, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded: "I want to stress that actions that harm China's interests will inevitably come at a cost."

Tolentino has long made unfounded accusations against China’s legitimate actions in safeguarding its rights in the South China Sea, and has openly supported Philippine incursions in disputed waters.

In November last year, he actively pushed for the passage of the so-called "Philippine Maritime Zones Act" and "Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act,"  in an attempt to legitimize the South China Sea arbitration ruling through domestic legislation — a move that seriously infringed upon China's sovereignty and maritime rights. The Chinese Foreign Ministry strongly condemned and firmly opposed these efforts.

In May this year, Tolentino also hyped up claims of a so-called "Chinese espionage" incident, initiating an investigation into a Philippine public relations firm named "InfinitUs," accusing it of operating a pro-China "troll network" and even considering charges of treason and espionage against the company.