AGAP Party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones says he's willing to face an ethics complaint over the "sabong scandal" he's involved in, as he is eager to clear his name and that of the House of Representatives.

"Walang problema sa akin [ang ethics complaint], sabi ko malinis kunsensya ko. Hindi ako nag- oonline sabong, may nag-message lang yung pamankin ko sa akin, at tinignan ko (I have no problems with an ethic complaint, I said my conscience is clean, I don’t play online sabong. My nephew sent me a link, and I watched it)," Briones told House reporters in an interview on Wednesday night, July 30.

"Ang interesado ko lang, linisin ko pangalan ko, pangalan ng AGAP Party-list, pangalan ng House of Representatives. Dahil nakakahiya kung yun ang magiging reputasyon, iisipin ng atin taumbayan," said the veteran congressman.

(What I'm interested in is cleaning my name, the name of AGAP Party-list, and the name of the House of Representatives. Because it's embarrassing if the people will think that is our reputation.)

An ethics complaint is handled by the House Committee on Ethics. If the complaint is found to be of merit, the committee can recommend penalties--ranging from reprimand to expulsion--on the erring solon. The plenary will then vote in session whether or not to uphold the recommendation.

On Monday morning, during the first session day of the first regular session, Briones was photographed from behind by photojournalists while watching what appeared to be a sabong or cockfighting video.

Naturally, the photos went viral. But Briones said what actually happened what that he clicked a link that was sent to him by his nephew while he was sitting in the plenary hall.

In this regard, Briones also brought up an interesting question about solons' privacy.

"Tingin ko, baka mahigpit ang ano diyan, dahil hindi tama yun eh. Napakasagrado ng ating privacy. May privacy act tayo. Ibig po ba sabihin, kami kayang ganun ganunin na lang? (I think there will be restrictions now, because you shouldn't do that. Our privacy is sacred. We have a privacy act. Does that mean we can be treated that way?)" he asked.

"Tinanong kung kakasuhan ko, kakasuhan ko sila. Pero sabi ko, sige na, pinatatawad ko na sila. Ang aking lang, wag ulitin, dahil nga sinisira nila yung reputasyon ng aming institusyon, ang House of Representatives," Briones said.

(I was asked if I would pursue charges. But I said nevermind, I've forgiven them already. But mo for me, it shouldn’t be repeated, because they're destroying the reputation of our House of Representatives.)

Briones cannot guarantee that he won't pursue legal action the next time a similar thing happens.

"Biro mo, walang kakuwe-kuwenta naman, gumawa ng napakalaking issue. Di ba? Ay, siguro baka sa susunod, pag may kumuha ulin niyan, ay baka talaga file-an na ng kaso. Pero ako, hindi ko, interesado ako doon," he said.

(An inconsequential act resulted in such a big issue. Right? Maybe the next time it happens, if a photographer snaps something like that again, maybe there will be charges. But I'm not interested in that.)