Sen. Robinhood "Robin" Padilla said he plans to file an ethics complaint against Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan following a heated exchange during Tuesday’s Senate plenary session over discussions related to the attempted arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Padilla confirmed his intention to bring the matter before the Senate Committee on Ethics after Pangilinan allegedly shouted at him while debates were ongoing on the Senate floor.
“I will file a complaint,” Padilla told reporters after the session. “I’m really not used to being shouted at. They say that’s normal here, but for me, it’s not.”
The confrontation erupted while senators were discussing allegations of harassment and human rights violations involving National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents during the failed attempt to serve an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa.
The warrant was reportedly issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with Dela Rosa’s alleged role in the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign when he served as Philippine National Police chief from 2016 to 2018.
During the proceedings, Pangilinan raised a point of order, saying the matter had already been referred to the Senate committee on rules. However, Padilla argued that the arrest warrant had only been publicly released on Monday night and deserved immediate discussion in the plenary.
As Padilla continued speaking, Pangilinan interrupted and asserted, “And for the record, Mr. President, I still have the floor!”
Following the exchange, Padilla questioned whether Senate rules permit senators to shout at fellow lawmakers and announced his plan to formally lodge a complaint.
Newly elected Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who was presiding over the session, temporarily suspended the proceedings to calm tensions between the two senators.
During the break, Pangilinan reportedly approached Padilla and offered a handshake, but the latter declined the gesture.
