Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan brushed off Senator Robin Padilla’s threat to file an ethics complaint against him following their heated exchange during Senate plenary discussions on the Bato dela Rosa issue.
In a strongly worded statement, Pangilinan said raised voices and intense debates are common occurrences inside the Senate and questioned the basis of the planned complaint.
“Sa haba ng 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,” Pangilinan said.
The senator argued that passionate exchanges during debates are sometimes unavoidable and noted that no similar ethics complaints had previously prospered despite numerous confrontations in past Senate sessions.
“Kung laban sa ethics yun, marami na sanang mga senador ang sinampahan at pinarusahan. Zero cases,” he added.
Pangilinan also told Padilla not to be “balat sibuyas,” insisting the planned complaint has “walang legal na basehan at walang kwenta.”
The tensions stemmed from Tuesday’s plenary debate involving the failed attempt to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa inside Senate premises following reports of an International Criminal Court warrant linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Padilla earlier accused Pangilinan of shouting at him during session and said he would elevate the matter before the Senate ethics committee unless Pangilinan publicly apologized during plenary.
But Pangilinan warned that he is also prepared to file a counter-complaint against Padilla over alleged violations of parliamentary rules, intimidation, and improper conduct.
“Hindi uubra ang pambubully at pa siga-siga sa akin,” Pangilinan said.
He also accused Padilla of acting out of order during the plenary exchange and claimed the senator’s behavior lacked proper decorum.
Despite the escalating word war, Pangilinan insisted he does not seek 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 clash between the two senators quickly drew attention online as political tensions continue to intensify over the ICC developments involving dela Rosa and the Duterte camp.
