Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla did not violate any military protocol when he wore a jacket that resembled a fatigue uniform during a recent Senate hearing, the Philippine Army said Wednesday, Oct. 12.

Col. Xerxes Trinidad, Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson, clarified that Padilla, an Army reservist, did not wear a military uniform but a jacket or coat that looked like a military fatigue.

"It's a coat/jacket worn over his barong. Maybe due to an air-conditioned room in the Senate. It's not a uniform issued to the Army or Reservist or even CAAs ," Trinidad told the Manila Bulletin.

The military spokesperson explained that Army personnel as well as its reservists wear a uniform called Philippine Army Pattern (PHILARPAT) which is "not similar to a military fatigue."

"Maybe they need to take a closer look of what’s a military uniform and a fatigue-colored coat/jacket," Trinidad noted.

A military fatigue is a casual type of uniform used by the military, police, fire, and other public uniformed services.

Padilla wore a fatigue-colored jacket during the Senate hearing last Oct. 10 and Sept. 5.

Netizens were quick to react to this as some of them criticized the newbie lawmaker for supposedly dishonoring the military's uniform.

Under the law, offenders can be prosecuted for violation of Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (Illegal Use of Uniforms or Insignia), which penalizes any person who shall publicly and improperly make use of insignias, uniforms or any dress pertaining to an office not held by that person or to a class of persons of which he or she is not a member.

Offenders can also be prosecuted for violation of Republic Act 493, for the crime of wearing, using, manufacturing and selling of insignias, decorations, medals, badges, patches and identification cards prescribed for the Armed Forces of the Philippines by persons not in the service.

Padilla, who holds a rank of captain in the Army's reserve command, had been relieved in December 2021 as the chairperson of the Army’s Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board – Strategic Communications Committee (STRATCOMM-MSAB) when he ran for Senate in the May 2022 elections.