Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 20) — Senators Bato Dela Rosa and Robin Padilla had different takes on former Senate President Franklin Drilon’s criticism about the “lack of decorum on the part of certain senators.”
Drilon earlier advised Senate President Migz Zubiri to “draw the line” and reminded him that the burden of “upholding and restoring the prestige of the Senate” is his responsibility.
The statement came just a month after Padilla drew flak due to the viral video of the neophyte senator struggling to make a motion during a plenary session. He was also criticized after he was seen combing his mustache during a separate session.
In the same month, Dela Rosa was accused of debasing the Senate as an institution when he knelt before cops accused of involvement in illegal drug trade, begging them to tell the truth during a committee hearing.
Asked to respond to Drilon’s reminder, Dela Rosa admitted that his occasional loud laughter may have contributed to the noise in the session hall.
\”Nakakalimutan ko minsan na senador pala ako, akala ko pulis pa rin ako…Nake-carried away ako sa emotion ko and I’m sorry for that kung nasisira ang imahe ng Senado dahil diyan sa mga ginagawa ko,\” he said.
[Translation: I sometimes forget that I am a senator, I think I’m still a police officer…I get carried away by my emotions and I’m sorry if I ruin the image of the Senate because of what I do.]
\”I’m sorry for that and I’m ready to make amends. I am ready to adjust,\” he added.
Meanwhile, Senator Robin Padilla said he did not feel alluded to when he heard of Drilon’s statement.
Padilla also said he does not see the need to make amends, adding that younger lawmakers have a different way of doing things.
\”Wala namang masama doon lalo na kapag tigwas tigwas na ang bigote, mas mahirap naman,\” he said, referring to his viral video.
\”Ako ay nalalapit sa taumbayan sa pagiging ako. Kapagka binago ko ‘yung sarili ko baka malayo sila sakin…Ako ay hinalal para mapalapit sa tao, di maging mukhang kagalang galang,\” he said.
[Translation: There is nothing wrong with that, especially if the mustache is in disarray… I am connected to the people because of who I am. If I change myself, they might distance themselves…I was elected to be close to the people, not to look respectable.]
Dela Rosa and Padilla said the Senate leadership did not lack in reminding them of the proper decorum.
Former Senate President Tito Sotto said there is still time for improvement, especially for those in their first years in office.
“They should welcome such observations, lalo na ng mga antigo ay dapat pakinggan (especially from seniors should be heard). They should take it in stride and try to follow traditions,” Sotto said.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva earlier said senators will discuss concerns on the decorum of some colleagues.
