Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa engaged in a tense exchange with Senate President Tito Sotto on Monday during a debate over the transfer of former Public Works and Highways Asst. District Engr. Brice Hernandez to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Facility.
The dispute followed the Senate’s decision to transfer Hernandez after he was cited for contempt. The Senate Minority had questioned the move, prompting Sotto to describe their objections as merely a “gimmick.”
Dela Rosa fired back at Sotto, saying, “Ang Senado po hindi po ito noontime TV show na puro gimik ang ating tine-take up dito.”
He further stressed, “Tayo po ay nagre-raise ng legitimate issues, which requires legitimate attention.”
The confrontation intensified after Sotto remarked that the minority should “die of resentment,” referring to their status in the Senate.
Dela Rosa countered, “Unang-una yung mamatay sila sa sama ng loob. Kami, Mr. President, hindi po po kami mapatay sa sama ng loob dahil hindi na po masama ang loob namin dahil tanggap na namin na kami ang minority. Ang sinasama lang ng loob namin is bakit kailangan pang patayin kami sa sama ng loob. Hindi na po masama ang loob namin. Tanggap na namin na kami minority.”
Sotto responded, “When I said, mamatay sila ng sama ng loob, we were addressing the trolls. Because it was the trolls who were saying something to that effect na na-misunderstood nila completely.
He clarified, “I’m not supposed to do this, I’m not supposed to answer you. But I cannot help but do that because you took the floor and parang sinisita mo yung Senate President, which is very unparliamentary.”
Later in the day, Hernandez was returned to Senate custody from the Pasay City Jail.
According to Senate President Tito Sotto, he received a letter from Hernandez’s legal counsel requesting that Hernandez be readmitted to the Senate detention facility, citing their belief that a fair hearing regarding the alleged flood control scam probe would take place under Sotto and Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Senator Ping Lacson.
