Senator Robin Padilla said he plans to file an ethics complaint against Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan following a heated exchange during Tuesday’s Senate plenary session.
The confrontation erupted while senators were discussing the failed attempt to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in connection with an International Criminal Court warrant tied to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Padilla told reporters after the session that he was offended after Pangilinan allegedly raised his voice at him during the debate.
“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,” he added.
The dispute began after Pangilinan raised a point of order, arguing that the issue surrounding dela Rosa’s attempted arrest had already been referred to the Senate committee on rules.
Padilla countered that the arrest warrant only became public Monday night and insisted the matter deserved immediate discussion on the Senate floor.
As Padilla continued speaking, Pangilinan interrupted him and asserted that he still had the floor.
“And for the record, Mr. President, I still have the floor!” Pangilinan said during the exchange.
Padilla later told the plenary that he intended to formally complain against Pangilinan before the Senate ethics committee.
“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?” Padilla said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who was presiding over the session, temporarily suspended proceedings to ease tensions between the two lawmakers.
During the break, Pangilinan reportedly approached Padilla and offered a handshake, but Padilla declined.
Padilla later said he may reconsider filing the complaint if Pangilinan apologizes publicly during plenary.
“It should be done in the plenary because he shouted at me in the plenary,” Padilla explained.
The Senate confrontation came amid heightened political tensions following the International Criminal Court’s reported arrest warrant against dela Rosa and the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte by the House of Representatives.
