Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said former Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano are only human and can sometimes be passionate about their beliefs.
"Ulitin ko, tao lamang minsan mataas ang emosyon kaugnay sa mga pinaniniwalaan, pinaglalaban, adbokasiya na sana maunawaan din ninyo (I hope you can understand that sometimes emotions run high when it comes to deeply held beliefs, advocacies and convictions)," he told reporters in a chance interview on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Zubiri and Cayetano have made amends following a heated exchange caught on video, and has gone viral on social media.
Prior to this, the two senators nearly came to blows at the Senate Plenary Hall Tuesday night, Sept. 24, at the height of a heated argument concerning the right of residents of 10 Enlisted Men’s Barrio (EMBO) barangays to vote for their congressional representative in the upcoming 2025 elections.
Zubiri said that Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 23 introduced by Cayetano should have been explained to them. He also questioned it's tackling, noting that it was not part of the day's agenda.
"Ang akin lang naman diyan is nabigla ako dahil nasa taas nga ako at biglang may (For me I was surprised because I was upstairs and all of a sudden there's) concurrent resolution about these barangays. Wala naman sa (It's not in the) agenda today, Mister President. So my appeal to the good gentleman is give us time to at least explain to us what it is all about," Zubiri said.
"We're going to get them to vote, at least in these elections. You know, if I was told that, then I had no problem. Pero biglaan eh. Ngayon ko lang nakita yung document (I only saw the document now)," he added.
He also stated that they didn't want to be like other establishments that "passes measures midnight hour."
The resolution aims to address the issue faced by the EMBO barangays, which collectively comprise an additional 336,873 residents in the City of Taguig, of not being included in the current legislative districts of the City of Taguig and the Municipality of Pateros.
This situation has raised uncertainties about the EMBO residents’ voting rights and representation.
Based on the viral video, the brawl that almost ensued between them occurred while the plenary session was suspended.
Zubiri later apologized to Cayetano for raising his voice. The resolution was later adopted.
Cayetano stated that the controversial resolution only expressed the sentiment of the Senate, and that they were treating it like any other resolution. He also emphasized its importance and urgency, stating that it was not just an emotional issue or a local issue, but an issue of constitutional importance because it delves on the ability of the people to vote.
"Sabi ko, I don't want to take the risk. Nakita niyo naman yung mga ulan ngayon eh kung bumagyo bukas at mag adjourn tayo (I know, I don't want to take the risk. You've seen the rain today, and if there's a typhoon tomorrow and we adjourn)," he said.
Escudero said that members of the Senate are passionate about their advocacies, and in the course of their proceedings it is natural that discussion and discourse can sometimes become heated.
"We are only human. Whatever our differences, however, we share a common goal: to serve our constituents and do right by them to the best of our ability. Senators Cayetano and Zubiri recognize this, which is why this matter was immediately resolved," he said.
"The two longtime public servants have amicably settled their differences, and have put this episode behind them," he added.
He also explained that these resolutions can be adopted at any point in time. In relation to the concurrent resolution of Cayetano, Escudero reiterated that it just expresses the sense of Congress.
"It has persuasive effect, if any," he said.
"Sa kasong ito pinapawagan nito ang Comelec na bagama't walang batas, hanapan ng paraan na makaboto yung botante sa EMBO barangays (In this case, it is urging the Comelec to find a way to enable voters in EMBO barangays to participate in the elections, despite the lack of a law)," he added.