Escudero on Binay-Cayetano feud: It should not happen again

Nancy Binay —SENATE PRIB                                                                      Alan Peter Cayetano —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday said the heated exchange between Senator Nancy Binay and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano during a recent hearing should not happen again.

In a media briefing, Escudero said calmness should prevail between Binay and Cayetano.

Binay walked out of the Senate inquiry on the construction of the new Senate building after trading barbs with Cayetano. She also filed an ethics complaint against Cayetano.

READ: Separate panel probe into cost of new Senate building sought

“What happened at the last hearing should not happen again. I hope calmness prevails between the two because the goal of this is simple: to know and ensure that the expenses are accurate and to find ways to bring them down,” Escudero said in Filipino.

READ: Binay, Cayetano trade barbs at Senate hearing

When asked if he should talk to Binay and Cayetano, Escudero said the two lawmakers already know what to do and what to avoid.

Escudero also said the Committee on Ethics, chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino, has a procedure for the complaint filed against Cayetano.

READ: Binay on filing ethics complaint vs Cayetano: I need to protect my kids

“It depends on him (Tolentino) when he is going to organize the committee and schedule the hearing but of course, his main goal before conducting any hearing is to make the two reconcile so it does not have to go through any hearing or decision by the Committee on Ethics,” he added.