Drilon asleep during interview? He was looking at documents, says CNN anchor

Sen. Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon did not fall asleep while he was on live television for an interview, a CNN reporter clarified.

Here’s what happened. As I was laying the premise for my question, I saw Sen Drilon look down at the documents he had on the table. I did not see him fall asleep. https://t.co/ga9kxyBFBY

— Pinky Webb (@iampinkywebb) March 2, 2020

A video of Drilon has been making rounds on social media, where the senator appeared to be looking down while being interviewed by anchorwoman Pinky Webb on her show “The Source.”

On Monday night, Webb set the record straight as she was asked by a netizen whether or not the Senate leader fell asleep while being interviewed.

“Here’s what happened. As I was laying the premise for my question, I saw Sen Drilon look down at the documents he had on the table,” Webb said on Twitter.

“I did not see him fall asleep,” she added.

Upon seeing her clarification, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. replied, “There you go.”

Locsin previously said in a tweet last Feb. 29 that Drilon used to be one of his superiors in a law firm, and called him a “genius.”

Drilon asleep makes more sense talking in his sleep than most officials wide awake. https://t.co/cmiZ3CsqRZ

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 1, 2020

In a follow-up tweet, the country’s top diplomat added: “Drilon asleep makes more sense talking in his sleep than most officials wide awake.”

Sen. @BigManDrilon is one of the most brilliant Senators I have worked with. When he stands up at the podium, you have to be prepared. He does his homework.

Most of his interpellations are very essential in the improvement of any passed measure.

— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) March 1, 2020

Former senator JV Ejercito also came to Drilon’s defense, saying that he is one of the “most brilliant” senators he has worked with.

Edited by JPV