Senator Robin Padilla defended himself over a viral video alleging that he flashed a “dirty finger” while singing the Philippine National Anthem inside the Senate.
Padilla denied the claim, stressing that he did not raise his middle finger as reported by a news outlet.
According to the senator, it was his index finger—not his middle finger—that he raised while singing Lupang Hinirang during the Senate session on Monday, September 8.
He explained that the gesture is a symbol of deep faith in Islam.
“Ito po ay banal sa aming mga Muslim, ibig sabihin, walang ibang Diyos na dapat sambahin maliban sa Allah, ito po ang pundasyon ng aming pananampalataya,” Padilla said.
His chief-of-staff, Atty. Rudolf Philip Jurado, also defended the senator.
“No dirty finger. Senator (Robin) Padilla will never do that,” Jurado emphasized.