Photo from Sen. Robin Padilla’s office

MANILA — Sen. Robin Padilla on Monday apologized and clarified his remarks during a Senate panel hearing last week that tackled the sexual dynamics between couples and the importance of consent.

Padilla said his questions during the hearing were "hypothetical" and were meant to encourage discourse on such matter.

“Ako po ay humihingi ng paumanhin at ng inyong mabuting pasensya… Ang aking mga katanungan po ay hypothetical base sa sentimiento at realidad ng mga pang-karaniwang Pilipino,” he explained.

"Ang linya po ng aking pagtatanong ay upang magkaroon ng diskusyon at pagbibigay-linaw... Ang pinang-gagalingan ko po ay upang gabayan ang karamihan ukol sa isyu ng marital rape," the senator added. 

• 'No means no': Lawyer explains consensual sex to Senate panel

During the hearing, Padilla asked lawyer Lorna Kapunan what a husband could do when he is in the mood for sex but the partner is not and other ways to navigate such situation.

He also mentioned the supposed "sexual rights" of a husband over his wife.

• PANOORIN: Senate hearing sa sexual harassment, nauwi sa talakayan ng marital rape

Padilla's exchange with Kapunan drew flak from women's groups and netizens after they found it "sexist."

Padilla's panel was originally probing cases of sexual harassment in television networks. That case was not tackled in this hearing so Padilla looked to focusing on possible amendments to existing laws.

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