Senate President Win Gatchalian condemned a China-based media outlet’s racist portrayal of Filipinos, stressing that freedom of expression should never be used to justify racism or dehumanization.

Reacting to a July 10 video depicting Filipinos as monkeys in connection with the 2016 Arbitral Award, the Senate President said, “Freedom of expression, even in political disputes, is not a license to dehumanize people. Racism has no space in any society that values truth and civility.”

He urged all parties to pursue respectful and intelligent dialogue instead of prejudice, calling on media organizations and institutions to exercise greater responsibility in producing and sharing content.

“Disagreements between nations should sharpen our reasoning, not our prejudices,” he said.

Senator Win also emphasized that mass media and communication platforms have a duty to uphold truth, civility, and respect for human dignity, adding that the dignity of Filipinos should never be mocked or abused.