Zubiri: Heated exchange with Cayetano a 'misunderstanding' | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Zubiri: Heated exchange with Cayetano a 'misunderstanding'
Zubiri: Heated exchange with Cayetano a 'misunderstanding'
Published Sep 25, 2024 01:44 PM PHT
|
Updated Sep 25, 2024 03:42 PM PHT
MANILA – Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said Wednesday the heated exchange between him and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano had been resolved and was just a "misunderstanding."
A video taken shortly after the Senate adjourned its plenary session on Tuesday night showed Cayetano and Zubiri trading barbs over a resolution that sought to prevent the disenfranchisement of voters in 10 barangays that were ordered transferred from Makati City to Taguig City by the Supreme Court.
Zubiri said he simply sought an explanation and discussion on Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which Cayetano sponsored before the adjournment of the plenary session.
Zubiri said he simply sought an explanation and discussion on Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which Cayetano sponsored before the adjournment of the plenary session.
"It was just a miscommunication, a misunderstanding. Yun lang yun," Zubiri said in the Kapihan sa Manila Bay.
"It was just a miscommunication, a misunderstanding. Yun lang yun," Zubiri said in the Kapihan sa Manila Bay.
"We made up already no hard feelings. Pero ang sa akin lang kasi, they were passing something na hindi namin alam, wala sa agenda. I understood, that's when I understood that it meant a lot to him kasi Taguig," he said.
"We made up already no hard feelings. Pero ang sa akin lang kasi, they were passing something na hindi namin alam, wala sa agenda. I understood, that's when I understood that it meant a lot to him kasi Taguig," he said.
Concurrent Resolution 23 seeks to include the 10 enlisted men's barrios (EMBO) barangays in the 2 legislative districts of Taguig and Pateros to avoid the registered voters from being disenfranchised.
Concurrent Resolution 23 seeks to include the 10 enlisted men's barrios (EMBO) barangays in the 2 legislative districts of Taguig and Pateros to avoid the registered voters from being disenfranchised.
ADVERTISEMENT
It also confirms the increase of the number of councilors to 12 in each district of Taguig City for fair representation.
It also confirms the increase of the number of councilors to 12 in each district of Taguig City for fair representation.
Cayetano said the concurrent resolution was "meant to guide the Commission on Elections and give them an option" on the matter, after it said EMBO residents cannot vote for a congressional representative.
Cayetano said the concurrent resolution was "meant to guide the Commission on Elections and give them an option" on the matter, after it said EMBO residents cannot vote for a congressional representative.
However, Zubiri said he was under the "misimpression" that the resolution was seeking to create a new legislative district, which is unconstitutional.
However, Zubiri said he was under the "misimpression" that the resolution was seeking to create a new legislative district, which is unconstitutional.
"I was having a meeting in my room with one congressman from Bukidnon and my constituents from Bukidnon. Ang naririnig ko district, district dapat may congressman sila yun ang naririnig ko. Under the constitution, sa constitutional provision, the creation of districts has to have a law," he said.
"I was having a meeting in my room with one congressman from Bukidnon and my constituents from Bukidnon. Ang naririnig ko district, district dapat may congressman sila yun ang naririnig ko. Under the constitution, sa constitutional provision, the creation of districts has to have a law," he said.
"So yun ang initial narinig ko sa session, sa taas sa kwarto ko. This was at 9 pm ah. Bumaba ako sabi ko wait sandali, tama ba yun gagawa tayo ng district ng walang batas through a resolution. So bumaba ako and I think he thought I was delaying it kasi hindi ako pumayag. Actually, ang gusto ko lang sana maliwanagan what is this all about," he said.
"So yun ang initial narinig ko sa session, sa taas sa kwarto ko. This was at 9 pm ah. Bumaba ako sabi ko wait sandali, tama ba yun gagawa tayo ng district ng walang batas through a resolution. So bumaba ako and I think he thought I was delaying it kasi hindi ako pumayag. Actually, ang gusto ko lang sana maliwanagan what is this all about," he said.
Zubiri said he just wanted a caucus to discuss the resolution, which was not in their agenda.
Zubiri said he just wanted a caucus to discuss the resolution, which was not in their agenda.
"Sabi ko explain to me. Hindi tayo pikit mata na gusto natin pasa lang tayo nang pasa. So umalma po ako. Sabi ko meron naman tayong bukas, meron naman tayong session bukas. Medyo nagalit siya. May mga video naman eh, lumalabas naman yung mga video eh," Zubiri said.
"Sabi ko explain to me. Hindi tayo pikit mata na gusto natin pasa lang tayo nang pasa. So umalma po ako. Sabi ko meron naman tayong bukas, meron naman tayong session bukas. Medyo nagalit siya. May mga video naman eh, lumalabas naman yung mga video eh," Zubiri said.
"I feel the emotions of Alan and you have seen it in all the video. Talagang ayaw lang niya ma-disenfranchise yung mga taga-EMBO. Yun nga lang, sana hindi na umabot dun kung nagkaroon ng consultation," he said.
"I feel the emotions of Alan and you have seen it in all the video. Talagang ayaw lang niya ma-disenfranchise yung mga taga-EMBO. Yun nga lang, sana hindi na umabot dun kung nagkaroon ng consultation," he said.
The former Senate President also wanted to get in touch with Sen. Nancy Binay who is from Makati, but Cayetano said the concerned barangays are now under Taguig.
The former Senate President also wanted to get in touch with Sen. Nancy Binay who is from Makati, but Cayetano said the concerned barangays are now under Taguig.
Zubiri said he got more clarity after Senate President Francis Escudero explained that the concurrent resolution no longer held the weight of law, following a Supreme Court decision.
Zubiri said he got more clarity after Senate President Francis Escudero explained that the concurrent resolution no longer held the weight of law, following a Supreme Court decision.
"With that explanation coming from the Senate President and that it is a mere request to not disenfranchise the people of the EMBO district, which is about ten EMBO barangays, I acceded," he said.
"With that explanation coming from the Senate President and that it is a mere request to not disenfranchise the people of the EMBO district, which is about ten EMBO barangays, I acceded," he said.
"Siguro nag-trigger lang sa kanya [Cayetano], he was worried na baka ma-delay kasi sabi nga niya paano kung magkaroon ng bagyo bukas at wala nang session Wednesday, mawawalan ng pag-asa mga taga-EMBO na magkaroon ng representation bilang, makaboto ng congressman," Zubiri said.
"Siguro nag-trigger lang sa kanya [Cayetano], he was worried na baka ma-delay kasi sabi nga niya paano kung magkaroon ng bagyo bukas at wala nang session Wednesday, mawawalan ng pag-asa mga taga-EMBO na magkaroon ng representation bilang, makaboto ng congressman," Zubiri said.
"Ang akin lang naman, nagkaroon ng liwanag na ito po ay just sense of the Senate requesting the Comelec not to disenfranchise them. We're not creating any district kasi I thought initially kasi wala naman kaming document eh, we don't have a document," he explained.
"Ang akin lang naman, nagkaroon ng liwanag na ito po ay just sense of the Senate requesting the Comelec not to disenfranchise them. We're not creating any district kasi I thought initially kasi wala naman kaming document eh, we don't have a document," he explained.
'NOTHING PERSONAL'
Zubiri said he would have supported the resolution if it was filed earlier and had it been in the agenda. He shared how he and Cayetano made up since the exchange.
Zubiri said he would have supported the resolution if it was filed earlier and had it been in the agenda. He shared how he and Cayetano made up since the exchange.
"Okay na kami ni Alan. I've known him since 1998 kasama ko yan Spice Boy ako. Matagal kami ni Chiz, matagal na kaming magkasama niyan 1998. So ayun actually cute nga kaming tatlo nagyakapan. Sabi niya, sabi ni Senate President, matagal na tayong magkasama since 1998 pa tayo magkasama, ba't pa tayo mag-aaway away," Zubiri said.
"Okay na kami ni Alan. I've known him since 1998 kasama ko yan Spice Boy ako. Matagal kami ni Chiz, matagal na kaming magkasama niyan 1998. So ayun actually cute nga kaming tatlo nagyakapan. Sabi niya, sabi ni Senate President, matagal na tayong magkasama since 1998 pa tayo magkasama, ba't pa tayo mag-aaway away," Zubiri said.
"Sabi ko ang akin lang is just give us the time. Although I understand the need for its quick approval kasi magbi-break na eh. Sana finile nila last week, sana finile nila last week. Pero na file nila Monday night so nabigla. With due respect to Alan, if he actually filed it on Monday, he could have called for a caucus in the afternoon. I would've said no problem, go, not a problem. That's what I said, I'm not going to I'm not going to allow the disenfranchise. I am with you," he added.
"Sabi ko ang akin lang is just give us the time. Although I understand the need for its quick approval kasi magbi-break na eh. Sana finile nila last week, sana finile nila last week. Pero na file nila Monday night so nabigla. With due respect to Alan, if he actually filed it on Monday, he could have called for a caucus in the afternoon. I would've said no problem, go, not a problem. That's what I said, I'm not going to I'm not going to allow the disenfranchise. I am with you," he added.
The lawmaker from Bukidnon said that he immediately apologized and stressed that his inquiry was "legitimate" and was "nothing personal."
The lawmaker from Bukidnon said that he immediately apologized and stressed that his inquiry was "legitimate" and was "nothing personal."
"All's well that ends well. Nagyakapan po kami, nagkamayan. I started it, I apologized. If you don’t apologize, magkakainitan yan hanggang kingdom come. Mine was purely issues basically what is it all about. Let's put it on record and let's have a discussion of it and let's not fast track anything in this chamber that needs discussion. So yun lang. And I said I'm sorry if I said something that triggered you and nag-apologize din naman siya. We're okay," he said.
"All's well that ends well. Nagyakapan po kami, nagkamayan. I started it, I apologized. If you don’t apologize, magkakainitan yan hanggang kingdom come. Mine was purely issues basically what is it all about. Let's put it on record and let's have a discussion of it and let's not fast track anything in this chamber that needs discussion. So yun lang. And I said I'm sorry if I said something that triggered you and nag-apologize din naman siya. We're okay," he said.
Zubiri renewed his call for the Senate to have a caucus to discuss their agenda and to avoid similar incidents from happening again in the future.
Zubiri renewed his call for the Senate to have a caucus to discuss their agenda and to avoid similar incidents from happening again in the future.
"Dalawang beses na yata akong umapela to the floor. And last night I also wrote an appeal we should have more caucuses. We've never had a caucus. Ang akin lang dapat there are more consultation so we can avoid misunderstandings and miscommunication," Zubiri said.
"We're normally civil individuals. Kasi I'm a stickler for rules, procedures and tradition. Old school ika nga. Actually rules and traditions is what keeps us from fighting," he said.
"Dalawang beses na yata akong umapela to the floor. And last night I also wrote an appeal we should have more caucuses. We've never had a caucus. Ang akin lang dapat there are more consultation so we can avoid misunderstandings and miscommunication," Zubiri said.
"We're normally civil individuals. Kasi I'm a stickler for rules, procedures and tradition. Old school ika nga. Actually rules and traditions is what keeps us from fighting," he said.
NO NEED TO DISCIPLINE ZUBIRI, CAYETANO
Escudero said he did not see the need to discipline Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Alan Peter Cayetano over their heated exchange.
“Members of the Senate like members of Congress are very passionate about their respective advocacies and [it] is quite human and natural for them to be emotional in regard to these advocacies,” he said in an interview with Palace reporters.
“As Senator Alan said, this is the first time that he became emotional regarding a bill in 26 years, in the Senate, and the House and knowing Senator Zubiri and each other for 28 years,” he added.
But Escudero said the two lawmakers immediately resolved their differences after a few minutes.
“Ang pinanood nyo lang kasi yung umpisa, hindi yung dulo eh. Panoorin nyo naman hanggang dulo. There’s a video until the end and they were able to reach an understanding,” he said.
The Senate President added that he apologized to both senators, noting that they had all been working long hours the previous weeks.
“Nakieksena na rin ako, nakihingi ako ng tawad dahil medyo mahaba-haba ang oras ng aming pagtatrabaho noong mga nagdaang linggo, dahil sa mga panukalang batas na hinahabol namin. Nangyari ang insidente mag-aalas-9 na rin kasi, medyo pagod na rin ang mga miyembro at medyo gabi na,” he said.
COMELEC STUDY
The Commission on Elections said it would review Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 23, once it is adopted by both houses of Congress.
“Pag dumating sa amin yung mismong resolution, pag-aaralan namin if that is the essence of the law, or even if it doesn’t have the effect of the law, or even if it does not have the effect of the law, sapat ba yun upang pabotohin natin yung mga botante nung 10 barangay sa Makati na ngayon ay nasa Taguig, sa miyembro ng Kongreso,” Chairman George Erwin Garcia said.
“Sabi nga natin, hangga’t hindi nagkakaroon ng aksyon sa Kongreso, at this point uncertain kung makakaboto ang mga kababayan natin sa 10 barangays ng Taguig sa kahit na ano na dalawang distrito dito sa Taguig,” he added.
The filing of certificates of candidacy is set on October 1 to 8.
The Commission on Elections said it would review Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 23, once it is adopted by both houses of Congress.
“Pag dumating sa amin yung mismong resolution, pag-aaralan namin if that is the essence of the law, or even if it doesn’t have the effect of the law, or even if it does not have the effect of the law, sapat ba yun upang pabotohin natin yung mga botante nung 10 barangay sa Makati na ngayon ay nasa Taguig, sa miyembro ng Kongreso,” Chairman George Erwin Garcia said.
“Sabi nga natin, hangga’t hindi nagkakaroon ng aksyon sa Kongreso, at this point uncertain kung makakaboto ang mga kababayan natin sa 10 barangays ng Taguig sa kahit na ano na dalawang distrito dito sa Taguig,” he added.
The filing of certificates of candidacy is set on October 1 to 8.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
