The Philippine Senate faces a burgeoning internal conflict as Senator Kiko Pangilinan declared his readiness to file counter-charges against Senator Robin Padilla should an ethics complaint be formally lodged against him.
The friction ignited during a heated plenary debate on Tuesday, May 12, regarding the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa. The exchange peaked when Pangilinan raised his voice to assert his right to the floor after an interjection by Padilla.
In a statement released Tuesday night, Pangilinan characterized Padilla’s behavior as “bullying” and a breach of Senate decorum.
“Kung sakali man, sasagutin ko ng kontra-reklamo sa Ethics Committee sa kanyang paglabag sa parliamentary rules at pagiging out of order at sa kawalan ng proper decorum, ang pagbabanta sa akin, pananakot at paninindak sa akin sa plenary session kanina habang naka recess.”
Pangilinan dismissed the potential ethics case as baseless, noting that heated exchanges and raised voices are common in the Upper Chamber’s history.
“Hindi uubra ang pambubully at pa siga-siga sa akin. Mas may basehang kasuhan yang pasiga-siga, pambabastos at ang kawalan ng proper decorum sa kapwa senador sa Senado. Lahat on record.”
The veteran lawmaker maintained that he is not looking for a fight but will not back down, urging his colleague to not be “thin-skinned” (balat sibuyas).
“Sa haba na panahon ko dito sa Senado at sa dami ng sigawan o pagtataas ng boses na nangyari na rito, ngayon lang siguro magkaka-ethics case na ganito.”
On the other side of the aisle, Padilla remained incensed, rejecting an attempted apology and a handshake brokered by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda.
Padilla insisted that because the perceived slight occurred during the session, the apology must be equally public.
“Hindi ko matatanggap ‘yung natural ang sigawan. Not me. Sila kung gusto nila magsigawan sila. Hindi ako kasama dun.”
The actor-turned-politician demanded a formal apology on the Senate floor, stating,
“Mag-apologize siya. Kailangan sa plenary niya gawin, kasi sa plenary niya ako sinigawan eh.”