Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla will not allow himsef to fall victim to "Webster" in the Senate as he continues to adjust to his role as a legislator in the 24-member upper chamber.
In a talk with Senate reporters Thursday, July 28, Padilla said that he would continue to use Filipino during hearings and other official events in the Senate, instead of English - especially words whose meanings have to be looked up in the dictionary.
"Opo, hindi na ako magpapanggap. Mahirap magpapanggap kang si Webster (Yes I won't pretend to understand high-sounding words. I won't pretend to be Webster)," Padilla told reporters when asked if he would continue using Tagalog in hearings and other Senate functions.
Besides, he noted that while senators converse in Filipino while in the senators' lounge, they sound like "Americans" once in the plenary.
Earlier, Padilla filed a bill seeking the use of Filipino and English as official languages in official government documents.
On the other hand, Padilla said he would continue to adjust to the use of English in Senate functions, including reading the journal and having his staff brief him on what happened during the previous day's session.
Padilla maintained he would remain an independent lawmaker though he is generally supportive of the legislative measures sought by the administration.
He said he would not agree to measures that are “anti-people."