Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce-Enrile should offer to commit “hara-kiri” now that the controversial “pork barrel” funds have been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said on Tuesday.
“Enrile’s arrogance has now been declared as bluff and bluster by the Supreme Court. At the very least, he should offer to commit hara-kiri because this dishonor belongs to him,” Santiago said in a statement.
The two have been at odds since Santiago questioned the P2 million Christmas bonuses that then Senate President Enrile allegedly gave to all senators, except her and three other senators.
“Enrile and I engaged in hand-to-hand combat in December 2012. He tried to bully me with the help of his attack dog, Sen. Panfilo Lacson. Thereafter, I fell ill with chronic fatigue syndrome and have been suffering the ailment for nearly a year,” Santiago said.
“Getting sick over the pork barrel scandal was well worth it, now that the Supreme Court has validated my position,” she said.
The SC decision, she said, was a “vindication” not only for her but also for the entire Filipino electorate.”
“There’s a God, after all,” Santiago said.
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