Team DailyPedia
Senator Francis Pangilinan said he is not intimidated by the threat of an ethics complaint from fellow senator Robin Padilla following their heated confrontation during the Senate plenary session on May 12.
The tension stemmed from discussions surrounding Senator Ronald dela Rosa and the controversy involving the reported arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Pangilinan firmly stated that he would not back down from Padilla’s threat and stressed that bullying and aggressive behavior have no place in the Senate.
“Huwag maging balat sibuyas. Walang legal na basehan at walang kuwenta ang ethics case complaint na ‘yan,” Pangilinan said.
He added that if Padilla pushes through with the complaint, he is prepared to file a counter-complaint before the Ethics Committee.
“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.”
“Hindi uubra ang pambu-bully at pasiga-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,” he added.
Despite the exchange, Pangilinan clarified that he has no intention of escalating the issue into a personal conflict.
“Ayaw ko ng away. Hindi ako palaaway pero hindi ko aatrasan ang sinuman kung ang gusto ay ganitong walang kwentang kasuhan,” he said.
The heated confrontation happened while Padilla was discussing Senate Resolution No. 44, which led to Dela Rosa being placed under Senate protective custody after reports surfaced that operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation attempted to serve an ICC warrant against him.
During the session, Pangilinan raised a point of order and suggested postponing discussions about Dela Rosa in order to focus on other pressing legislative matters.
Padilla objected, but Pangilinan insisted on continuing his remarks.
“I still have the floor! And for the record Mr. President, we voted against Resolution No. 44, so to say that we have this resolution yes, but there are senators who voted against it, and therefore it is not necessarily our agreement with the points being raised by the good senator from Camarines Norte,” Pangilinan stated.
Padilla later complained about Pangilinan allegedly raising his voice at him during the debate.
The situation became tense enough that Alan Peter Cayetano suspended the Senate session.
Another video that later circulated online showed Pangilinan attempting to approach and shake hands with Padilla after the incident, but the actor-turned-senator appeared to ignore the gesture.
According to reports, Padilla wanted Pangilinan to issue a public apology before the session resumed.
The Senate session did not continue afterward and was adjourned until the following day.
