At A Glance
- According to Remulla, senators should be prepared to engage in debates professionally and avoid taking disagreements personally.
(Photo: Robin Padilla Facebook page)
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla appeared to take a swipe at actor-turned-politician Senator Robin Padilla as he urged lawmakers to conduct themselves properly during debates and uphold the standards expected of members of the Senate.
He made the remarks following recent tensions in the Senate involving Padilla and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan over an alleged shouting incident during plenary deliberations.
According to Remulla, senators should be prepared to engage in debates professionally and avoid taking disagreements personally.
“When people compare the different epochs of our history, itong mga old senators — panahon nina Diokno, Salonga, Tolentino — ang sasabihin ko lang it’s not fair to compare, but everybody should step up (When people compare the different epochs of our history, the old senators during the time of Diokno, Salonga, and Tolentino — all I can say is it’s not fair to compare, but everybody should step up),” he said during a DZRH interview on Saturday, May 23.
The Ombudsman stressed that public officials seeking Senate positions must demonstrate both competence and discipline.
“If you want to be a senator, you have to act like a senator and think like a senator,” he said.
“‘Wag ka magagalit pag nagde-debate kayo. Debate ‘yan. These are the rules. ‘Wag ka magagalit (Don’t get angry when you are debating. That’s debate. These are the rules. Don’t get angry),” he added.
Likewise, Remulla said senators should avoid portraying themselves as victims whenever disagreements arise during deliberations.
“‘Wag mo idadaan sa sentimyento na kawawa naman ako, inaapi ako. Nag-senador ka. You have to stand proud as a senator. Comport yourself properly (Don’t resort to sentiments that you are being pitied or oppressed. You became a senator. You have to stand proud as a senator. Comport yourself properly),” he said.
The Ombudsman further urged lawmakers to improve their grasp of parliamentary procedures and debate rules.
“Lumaban ka ng debate. Mag-aral ka. Study the rules of debate. Study the rules of parliamentary procedures. And behave like a senator (Engage in debate. Study. Study the rules of debate. Study the rules of parliamentary procedures. And behave like a senator),” he added.