A handshake offer went unaccepted on the Senate floor Tuesday after Sen. Robinhood Padilla declined to reconcile with Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan following a heated exchange during plenary deliberations — and Padilla says a formal complaint is now coming.
Padilla told reporters he intends to bring the matter before the Senate committee on ethics, citing what he described as Pangilinan shouting at him during session.
“I will file a complaint,” Padilla said. “I’m really not used to being shouted at. They say that’s normal here, but for me, it’s not. Now, wherever my complaint may go, it will be up to whoever becomes the chairman of the Committee on Ethics to decide.”
The dispute broke out while senators were debating Monday’s failed attempt by National Bureau of Investigation agents to serve an arrest warrant on Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. The warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court in connection with Dela Rosa’s alleged role in the drug war killings during his tenure as national police chief from 2016 to 2018. Allegations of harassment and human rights violations against the NBI agents were among the concerns raised on the floor.
Pangilinan had raised a point of order, arguing that the matter had already been endorsed to the committee on rules. Padilla countered that the arrest warrant had only been made public Monday night, making floor discussion appropriate. As Padilla continued speaking, Pangilinan cut in, prompting the sharp exchange.
“How are we going to discuss other (matters)…,” Padilla said before being interrupted.
“And for the record, Mr. President, I still have the floor!” Pangilinan responded.
Padilla subsequently announced to the chamber his intention to file a complaint.
“I would like to file a complaint against Sen. Pangilinan for shouting. Is there anything in our rules that says a senator is allowed to shout at a fellow senator,” he said.
Newly elected Senate President Loren Legarda, who was presiding over the session, suspended proceedings to allow tensions to settle. During the recess, Pangilinan approached Padilla and extended a hand, but Padilla turned it down.
Padilla said he would only withdraw the complaint if Pangilinan issues a public apology — in the same venue where the incident occurred.
“It should be done in the plenary because he shouted at me in the plenary. If he had shouted at me somewhere else, it would have been fine and we could have just shaken hands, but he shouted at me there in the plenary,” Padilla said.
