Philippines summons Chinese envoy over sanctions against former senator
Tolentino, who lost his bid for a second term in the Philippines' midterm elections in May, was barred entry to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau over "egregious conduct" detrimental to relations between Manila and Beijing.
"The imposition of punitive measures ... is inconsistent with the norms of mutual respect and dialogue that underpin relations between two equal sovereign states," presidential press officer Claire Castro told a briefing.
Manila's foreign ministry said Chinese ambassador Huang Xilian was summoned on Friday. The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Chinese foreign ministry has previously accused some Filipino politicians of making "malicious remarks and moves" that hurt ties between the two nations.
Relations between China and the Philippines have soured under President Ferdinand Marcos over a longstanding dispute in the South China Sea.
A 2016 ruling by an international tribunal voided Beijing's sweeping claims to the region, saying they have no basis in international law, a decision China rejects.
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