MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Loren Legarda felt like a little girl once more when Senator Manny Villar held her hand during a media interview on Thursday.

"Hinawak-kamay ako ng Presidente (The president held my hand)," said Legarda, referring to Nacionalista Party's standard-bearer, Senator Manny Villar.

"Napaka-sweet talaga ng presidente ko (My president?s very sweet)," Legarda added.

Playing coy, Villar only laughed at Legarda's remark.

Unlike Villar, however, some reporters were surprised by the remark since it was made while the presidential bet was being interviewed about his visit to jailed Colonel Ariel Querubin.

Some reporters even asked each other if Legarda and Villar were actually holding their hands during the interview or if the lady senator was simply joking when she made that statement.

In the same interview, Legarda again interrupted Villar, who was being asked about his alleged excessive advertisements on television.

"I have something to say about my president. Yung attack nila (Their attack) against my, our president," said Legarda.

"Why are they attacking Villar about having too many ads when the Liberal Party?s candidate for vice president has more ads and is spending so much? Why are they attacking Villar?" she said, referring to her rival in the presidential race, Senator Manuel ?Mar? Roxas.

"Tingnan muna ng tumatakbong vice president ni Noynoy ang number ng kanyang ads bago sya mamuna ng aking pangulo (They should look first at the running mate of Noynoy before making comments about my president)," she further said.

Noynoy is Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, standard-bearer of the Liberal Party.