Senator Robin Padilla clarified that he did not raise his middle finger while singing the national anthem during Monday’s Senate plenary session.
Padilla addressed a media report claiming he made a “vulgar gesture,” which has since been deleted on social media.
“Hindi ko po malaman bakit sila gumawa ng ganito,” Padilla said in a live Facebook statement.
He explained that he was raising his index finger, which in Islam signifies the belief that there is no god but Allah.
“Hindi po namin puwedeng gawin na gawing kabastusan po ito. Magpapakamatay na lang po ako kung gagawin ko ‘yun. Hinihingi ko po na huwag sana natin itong gawing kalokohan dahil ito po ang pundasyon ng lahat ng pananampalataya ng Muslim,” Padilla added.
He also shared images from another angle showing the outstretched finger was indeed his index finger.
“Makikita niyo po, wala po akong ginawang pambabastos sa religion namin at wala rin sa ating watawat,” he said.
Padilla said he would leave the matter to Allah rather than pursuing legal action against the media, citing his faith.
“Dahil sa aming pananampalataya, ang ibibigay mo sa Allah, siya ang magbibigay sa akin ng gantimpala,” he said.
