Senators Robinhood ‘Robin’ Padilla and Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa on Monday reacted to calls for the restoration of proper decorum in the Senate.
In an interview with the media, Padilla said he did not committed any actions that may be considered a “lack of decorum”.
“Wala pa naman ako natandaan na ako ay nag-ingay. Pangalawa, wala pa naman ako minura sa loob ng session o sa loob ng hearing,” he said.
Padilla also asserted that there is nothing wrong in combing his mustache while attending Senate hearings.
“Wala sa rules ng Senate na bawal magsuklay ng bigote. Siguro kung nandoon 'yan na sinabi nila na bawal, susundin po natin,” he said
“Wala namang masama doon lalo kung tigwas tigwas ang bigote. Mas mahirap naman baka naman banatan ako sa susunod – itong si Robin Padilla mukhang tutsang ang kanyang bigote,” the Senator added.
Last May 17, Senate President Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri suspended the session to remind Senators about the Senate’s rules on proper decorum after he noticed some exhibited “unruly and noisy behavior”.
Senator Joel Villanueva said Zubiri ordered him to review committee hearings to look into erring Senators who made inappropriate language and behavior.
“Kasi may mga committee hearings din na nasasabi na hindi dapat masabi at ma-strike off the record. So we will also….. ‘Yung mga unparliamentary languages na kailangan ma-remind,” he said.
Following this, former Senate President Franklin Drilon commented that elected Senators should correct their behaviors to restore the prestige in the chamber.
Meanwhile, former Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson reminded lawmakers that once they took oath, they “should stop being a showman and start becoming a statesman” and that they should embody “honor” and “not humor.”
On the other hand, Dela Rosa said he is guilty of making inappropriate language while in session.
“Nagsabi ako ng anak ng baka, ‘diba? That’s very unparliamentary. So, magbago ako. Magbago ako,” he vowed.
But he noted that there are other Senators who have used unparliamentary language worse than him.
“‘Yung iba, mas mabigat ‘yung pinagbibitaw na salita. Kagalang-galang ang Senado, Senador tayo kaya we have to refrain from making necessary remarks,” dela Rosa added.
