Sen. Robin Padilla weighed in Monday on the online criticism directed at former Commission on Elections commissioner Rowena Guanzon after a confrontation in a Makati mall drew wide attention on social media.
Instead of focusing on the viral exchange itself, Padilla highlighted what he described as a basic obligation to treat older persons with courtesy, pointing out that Guanzon is a senior citizen and protected under Philippine law.
Padilla made his comments through a Facebook post after videos circulated showing Guanzon raising her voice at a man and a woman inside the mall. The exchange reportedly began when the man allegedly remarked on her coughing.
The lawmaker said the unidentified man should have acted differently, stressing that Filipinos are expected to show courtesy to seniors. “The attorney is a senior citizen! Our laws require us to care for and respect senior citizens. That Filipino should even be thankful he wasn’t attacked or hurt, because the attorney was already high-blood due to his lack of manners,” Padilla wrote.
He argued that calling attention to an elderly person’s cough was inappropriate, saying, “Respecting and caring for the elderly is part of being Filipino, not calling them out and forcing them to leave just because they coughed.”
Padilla also noted that he himself had been criticized by Guanzon in the past but still extended respect, citing her senior status and years of service. “Attorney Guanzon and I have no political alliance. This is about the law and being Filipino,” he said.
He cautioned the public not to allow political disagreements to justify discourtesy. “Don’t act stupid because of politics. The attorney is elderly Show her respect,” he added.
Padilla referred to provisions of the Senior Citizens Act, or Republic Act No. 7432, which outlines protections for older people.
Guanzon earlier said she has filed complaints for unjust vexation and grave oral defamation against the man involved.
