Kiko Pangilinan, Robin Padilla cause brief 'commotion' at Senate lounge as they clash anew

Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Robin Padilla clashed anew, causing a brief "commotion" at the Senate lounge on Wednesday, May 13. It came after their heated exchange while discussing Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa's ICC warrant during a plenary session.

Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca confirmed the incident to the media later in the day.

"Kanina kasi, on their way out going to the lounge, medyo nagkaroon ng commotion ulit si Senator Robin at si Senator Pangilinan," he told reporters.

He said he wasn't able to witness the confrontation, but noted it was "quickly settled."

"When I arrived at the lounge, tahimik naman na sila," he added.

According to Aplasca, the clash between the senators was an "extension" of their heated exchange on the Senate floor. "Medyo nagkatabi lang ng kaunti, nagkasagutan na ulit."

He dismissed claims on social media that the altercation led to a fistfight. "Sagutan lang, salita lang. Wala namang suntukan. Salita lang," he said.

Tension between Pangilinan and Padilla

The tension between Pangilinan and Padilla began after senators discussed alleged harassment and human rights violations by NBI agents during their failed attempt to serve an arrest warrant against 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, May 11. Tension 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 against Pangilinan for raising his voice.

Pangilinan rejects Padilla's demand for apology

In his speech on Wednesday, Padilla stressed that senators must abide by Senate rules. He stressed that Pangilinan, as a veteran senator, must apologize for what happened 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.

Pangilinan, however, added 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.