Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 25) — A brief altercation happened at the Senate plenary on Monday as Senator Manny Pacquiao said he felt disrespected by Senator Pia Cayetano.
This, after the lady senator left during May 19’s session early without continuing her scheduled interpellation on his proposal to create a boxing commission.
In her defense, Cayetano explained that she told Senate President Tito Sotto that she had to work on some priority bills, adding that her staff had informed Pacquiao’s staff about her leaving prior to the debate.
“Kung nakasakit po ako sa inyo, sinasabi ko sa inyo, wala hong intensyon na ganoon,” she said. “Sana ho wala naman tayong masyadong sensitivities kasi never po akong nangganon.”
[Translation: If I hurt you, I tell you that was not my intention. I hope we do not have many sensitivities because I never did that.]
However, the boxer-turned-lawmaker insisted that Cayetano should have informed him before leaving the Senate.
“Naghintay ako eh. Unless kung ininform ako na pasensya ka na marami akong gagawin, wala akong problema diyan… Pero yung lalayasan ako, tapos wala man lang sinasabi sa akin tapos wala na pala sa building eh pangit naman yun, parang disrespect sa akin yun sa part ko,” Pacquiao said.
[Translation: I waited. If I was told ‘I am sorry I have a lot of things to do’ I would have no problem with that. But if you will just leave without informing me, that is not good and disrespectful.]
Cayetano maintained that Pacquiao’s staff was informed about the postponement of her interpellation and that she did not violate any rule when she left.
At one point, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri had to mediate and call for a “time-out.” He also reminded lawmakers that their pet bills may not always be prioritized due to the tight schedule.
Senate has less than two weeks left before going on a congressional break.
CNN Philippines’ correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
