Cayetano, Zubiri trade barbs over reso on Embo barangays

Se. Alan Peter Cayetano —Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — A heated exchange erupted at the Senate’s plenary hall on Tuesday concerning the adoption of a resolution seeking to include 10 Embo barangays in the two legislative districts of Taguig and Pateros and confirming the increase in the number of councilors in each area for fair and equitable representation.

The exchange of words transpired between Sen. Alan Cayetano, author of the said measure, as well as former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Before the session was adjourned, the two took turns to air their sides. Zubiri, for his part, questioned why the measure would be tackled, noting that it was not in the daily agenda.

READ: Comelec: Embo barangay residents can vote in 2025 polls

“First of all, I don’t know anything about this bill. It just came out of the air. This is a concurrent Senate resolution, this is not a simple resolution,” said Zubiri.

According to the former Senate chief, he does not want to “disenfranchise” anyone, but he noted that the measure should go through the right process.

Zubiri later apologized for his demeanor, admitting that he was wrong for raising his voice at some point in the argument.

“Again, if I raised my voice, it’s because I was… it didn’t have to go that way and I apologize if I raised my voice. What I’m saying is that if it will help you, we can take it up tomorrow. My only concern is that I was shocked because I was at the top [and] suddenly there are concurrent resolutions about these barangays,” he said.

“We don’t wanna be like other establishments na ano lang tayo, in the midnight hour we’re passing measures. No, we’re not like that,” he emphasized.

Cayetano, meanwhile, explained the reason why he no longer wants to defer the adoption of the said measure.

“I don’t want to take the risk, you saw the rains today. What if there’s a storm tomorrow and we adjourn? So no one from Embo can run for Congressman? No one can vote? This is a five-page resolution, very easy reading,” he said.

Cayetano, in return, also apologized to Zubiri for raising his voice as well.

Later into the session, after a few more discussions, the Senate adopted Cayetano’s measure. In a separate message to reporters also on Tuesday evening, he said he agreed “with the explanation that it’s not a creation of a new district and it’s only the sense of Congress.”