Kiko Pangilinan Says He Won’t Back Down From Padilla Ethics Case Threat
KIKO PANGILINAN – The senator responded to the threat of an ethics complaint from fellow senator Robin Padilla following their heated exchange during a Senate session on May 12, 2026.
Pangilinan said that throughout his many years in the Senate, he had witnessed countless intense debates and arguments, but this was the first time he had encountered an ethics complaint being threatened over raised voices during a discussion. He explained that emotional and passionate debates are common in the Senate, especially when sensitive national issues are being discussed. According to him, if every heated argument were treated as an ethics violation, many senators in the past would have already faced disciplinary action.
Pangilinan dismissed the possible complaint as baseless and said he was prepared to answer any case filed against him. He also warned that he could file a counter-complaint against Padilla for allegedly violating parliamentary rules and proper decorum during the Senate session. Pangilinan claimed that Padilla acted in an intimidating and disrespectful manner while the session was temporarily suspended. He stressed that bullying, threats, and aggressive behavior should not be tolerated inside the Senate and insisted that all actions during the session were officially recorded.
Despite his strong statements, Pangilinan clarified that he was not looking for a fight but would defend himself against what he considered a meaningless accusation. The confrontation reportedly began when Padilla discussed the response of the Commission on Human Rights regarding the situation involving Ronald dela Rosa, who recently returned to the Senate after allegedly avoiding authorities connected to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Dela Rosa is being linked to the investigation involving former President Rodrigo Duterte and the controversial war on drugs.
Pangilinan interrupted the discussion by suggesting that the Senate move on to other matters instead of focusing on Dela Rosa’s case. This led to tension between the two senators, with Padilla accusing Pangilinan of shouting at him. Due to the rising tension, Alan Peter Cayetano suspended the Senate session. Videos later circulated online showing Pangilinan attempting to approach and shake hands with Padilla after the incident, but Padilla chose not to respond.
Related Post: Bato dela Rosa Faces Ethics Complaint Over Long Senate Absences