MANILA, Philippines - Following their heated exchange during the Senate hearing on extrajudicial killings last Thursday, September 15, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has issued an apology to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano for his “uncalled for” demeanor during the hearing.
Trillanes expressed his apology in a letter sent to the office of Cayetano on Monday, September 19: “This is to express my apologies for my demeanor during last Thursday’s hearing of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights.”
Trillanes, who did not specify which demeanour he was referring to, said his act was only brought about by “intense passion and emotion.”
“It was brought about because of the intense passion and emotion of the moment. Nonetheless, it was uncalled for,” Trillanes wrote.
Trillanes emphasized in his letter that such incident will not happen again.
The two senators were embroiled in a controversial clash after Trillanes asked Senator Leila De Clima to declare Cayetano out of order for maximizing the allotted time for questioning witness Edgar Matobato, who testified against President Rodrigo Duterte.
In order to ease the tension between the two senators, De Lima suspended the hearing but during the break, Trillanes and Cayetano continued to argue.
"Hindi kita papopormahin," Trillanes was heard telling Cayetano.
“Senador ako, binoto ako ng tao dito, di ba?" Cayetano responded.
De Lima then explained why she had to interrupt Cayetano but the latter continued speaking. This prompted Trillanes to turn off Cayetano’s microphone.
Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III earlier criticized Trillanes for his demeanor, saying that it is wrong for senators to “heckle” each other.
“Do not take the law or the rules into your own hands na ikaw na mismo ang papatay nung mikropono ng kapwa mo senador. Magkapantay po kayo. Respeto lang po,” Pimentel said.
Cayetano and Pimentel are known allies of Duterte, while Trillanes exposed the alleged millions in secret bank accounts of Duterte and his family.
--Mini, The Summit Express
Trillanes expressed his apology in a letter sent to the office of Cayetano on Monday, September 19: “This is to express my apologies for my demeanor during last Thursday’s hearing of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights.”
Trillanes, who did not specify which demeanour he was referring to, said his act was only brought about by “intense passion and emotion.”
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| PHOTO CREDIT: Manila Bulletin |
Trillanes emphasized in his letter that such incident will not happen again.
The two senators were embroiled in a controversial clash after Trillanes asked Senator Leila De Clima to declare Cayetano out of order for maximizing the allotted time for questioning witness Edgar Matobato, who testified against President Rodrigo Duterte.
In order to ease the tension between the two senators, De Lima suspended the hearing but during the break, Trillanes and Cayetano continued to argue.
"Hindi kita papopormahin," Trillanes was heard telling Cayetano.
“Senador ako, binoto ako ng tao dito, di ba?" Cayetano responded.
De Lima then explained why she had to interrupt Cayetano but the latter continued speaking. This prompted Trillanes to turn off Cayetano’s microphone.
Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III earlier criticized Trillanes for his demeanor, saying that it is wrong for senators to “heckle” each other.
“Do not take the law or the rules into your own hands na ikaw na mismo ang papatay nung mikropono ng kapwa mo senador. Magkapantay po kayo. Respeto lang po,” Pimentel said.
Cayetano and Pimentel are known allies of Duterte, while Trillanes exposed the alleged millions in secret bank accounts of Duterte and his family.
--Mini, The Summit Express
