Kiko Pangilinan tells Robin Padilla to file ethics case against him amid clash

Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan suggested that Sen. Robin Padilla file an ethics case following their tension on May 12, saying there are more important issues to discuss.

On Wednesday, Padilla stressed in his speech that senators must abide by Senate rules, saying that Pangilinan, as a veteran senator, must apologize on record.

"Nangyari po ito on record sa senado. Humihingi po siya ng pag-abot ng kamay sa ‘kin, hindi na on record. Paano ko po tatanggapin ang kamay niya, e ginawa niya ’yan on record? Kaya sana po hinihingi po natin bilang pakikiisa sa aking dasal, kung siya talaga ay nais niyang mag-abot ng kamay, ay on record. Sabihin niya mismo sa plenaryo na siya ay nagkamali," Padilla said.

"Tanggalin natin 'yan sa record dahil ayokong mababasa 'yan ng aking mga anak at apo na ang isang Muslim senator ay sinisigaw-sigawan dito sa plenaryo," he added.

Pangilinan, for his part, said that Padilla should just file an ethics case, noting that there are more pressing matters that deserve attention.

"Ang suggestion ko, isampa niya 'yung ethics case at doon na po sa ethics committee natin pag-usapan ito dahil marami pang ibang mas importanteng bagay sa aking paniwala na dapat talakayin," he said.

On the other hand, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mau Aplasca told the media that there was a confrontation between two senators that happened inside the Senate lounge.

"On their way out going to the lounge medyo nagkaroon ng commotion ulit si Sen. Robin tsaka si Sen. Pangilinan, but it was quickly settled," he said, clarifying that there was no fistfight.

"Extension ng nangyari. Medyo nagkatabi lang ng kaunti, nagkasagutan na ulit. Sagutan lang, salita lang,” he added.

The confrontation began after senators discussed alleged harassment and human rights violations by NBI agents during the failed attempt to serve an arrest warrant against Bato dela Rosa.

Pangilinan insisted the issue be referred to the committee on rules instead of being debated in plenary, despite Padilla arguing that the warrant had only been released Monday night. Tensions escalated when Padilla tried to continue speaking, prompting Pangilinan to raise his voice and assert that he still had the floor.

Behind the scenes, the two were seen talking, with Pangilinan reaching out for a handshake while Padilla visibly refused. Padilla also told the media that he's eyeing to file an ethics complaint vs Pangilinan for raising his voice.

Pangilinan, meanwhile, said in his statement that if Padilla pushes through with the case, he will file a counter-complaint, accusing the senator of breaching parliamentary rules through disorderly conduct and lack of decorum, as well as allegedly threatening, intimidating, and harassing him during the plenary session while it was in recess.

The Senate recently underwent a leadership shakeup following a roll-call vote, with Alan Peter Cayetano replacing Tito Sotto as Senate President after winning 13 votes against nine.