Clashes erupt over terror bill, budget at Senate - Malaya 10.04.2006
ANOTHER Senate drama unfolded yesterday afternoon after Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. clashed verbally over the former’s motion to terminate floor debates and proceed to voting on his proposed anti-terrorism bill.
Enrile blamed his colleagues for delaying the measure’s passage through their "reservations."
Sen. Jamby Madrigal, with whom Enrile had also been at odds months ago, was among those who expressed reservations on the measure. She had not yet arrived when the heated exchange flared up.
Enrile’s motion to end debates was seconded by Sen. Richard Gordon but Pimentel stood up to shoot down the motion.
He said, while gesticulating to stress his point, that Enrile should not rush the measure’s passage as if he was trying to dominate the deliberations. "I would like to ask our colleague not to try dominate the proceedings. You’re supposed to be here as senator, no need to intimidate any of us because we’re peers and this is a civilized forum but we’re free to state our views," Pimentel said.
Enrile in turn warned Pimentel not to point his fingers at him.
Pimentel said the bill was not even on the priority agenda of the Senate for that day since it was listed as Number 3. He said the list of would-be interpellators for Enrile numbered four senators, excluding himself and including Madrigal who, he added, was the original oppositor to the motion to terminate floor debates on the bill.
"I’m not even mentioned there yet, therefore, I would like to say perhaps the motion to terminate the period of interpellation may not be proper at this point," Pimentel said.
Senate President Manuel Villar suspended the session to allow the two members to cool down.
But a still furious Enrile was overheard by Senate employes and members of the media dishing out expletives.
"Tarantado iyang si Pimentel. Pagsasampalin ko ang mga iyan. I know what I’m doing. I don’t care about the other people here," he was overheard as saying.
A television crew also overheard Enrile blurting out: "Pag ganitong mainit ulo ko, huwag kayo hahara-hara, mainit ang ulo ko."
In a huddle with senators trying to pacify the two, Enrile apparently told Pimentel: "If you can do that to me, I can do that to you also." Enrile was referring to Pimentel’s pet measures which he could also block when they reach the floor.
Prior to the heated exchange, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Joker Arroyo also briefly tangled over a motion of Lacson’s to suspend the session to allow the Senate finance committee to resume its budget hearings.
Lacson said the national budget is the most important piece of legislation and should be given utmost time and attention.Arroyo opposed the motion and stressed that while the national budget is very important, the Senate should not forsake its sessions. He said all committee hearings must cease once the session starts. – Dennis Gadil
Enrile blamed his colleagues for delaying the measure’s passage through their "reservations."
Sen. Jamby Madrigal, with whom Enrile had also been at odds months ago, was among those who expressed reservations on the measure. She had not yet arrived when the heated exchange flared up.
Enrile’s motion to end debates was seconded by Sen. Richard Gordon but Pimentel stood up to shoot down the motion.
He said, while gesticulating to stress his point, that Enrile should not rush the measure’s passage as if he was trying to dominate the deliberations. "I would like to ask our colleague not to try dominate the proceedings. You’re supposed to be here as senator, no need to intimidate any of us because we’re peers and this is a civilized forum but we’re free to state our views," Pimentel said.
Enrile in turn warned Pimentel not to point his fingers at him.
Pimentel said the bill was not even on the priority agenda of the Senate for that day since it was listed as Number 3. He said the list of would-be interpellators for Enrile numbered four senators, excluding himself and including Madrigal who, he added, was the original oppositor to the motion to terminate floor debates on the bill.
"I’m not even mentioned there yet, therefore, I would like to say perhaps the motion to terminate the period of interpellation may not be proper at this point," Pimentel said.
Senate President Manuel Villar suspended the session to allow the two members to cool down.
But a still furious Enrile was overheard by Senate employes and members of the media dishing out expletives.
"Tarantado iyang si Pimentel. Pagsasampalin ko ang mga iyan. I know what I’m doing. I don’t care about the other people here," he was overheard as saying.
A television crew also overheard Enrile blurting out: "Pag ganitong mainit ulo ko, huwag kayo hahara-hara, mainit ang ulo ko."
In a huddle with senators trying to pacify the two, Enrile apparently told Pimentel: "If you can do that to me, I can do that to you also." Enrile was referring to Pimentel’s pet measures which he could also block when they reach the floor.
Prior to the heated exchange, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Joker Arroyo also briefly tangled over a motion of Lacson’s to suspend the session to allow the Senate finance committee to resume its budget hearings.
Lacson said the national budget is the most important piece of legislation and should be given utmost time and attention.Arroyo opposed the motion and stressed that while the national budget is very important, the Senate should not forsake its sessions. He said all committee hearings must cease once the session starts. – Dennis Gadil
posted by brodkaster43 at Miyerkules, Oktubre 04, 2006
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