Osmeña: Drilon was ‘pikon’ during ICC grilling

MANILA, Philippines— A fellow senator observed Thursday that Senate President Franklin lost his cool during the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the alleged overpriced Iloilo Convention Center (ICC), Drilon’s pet project.

Senator Sergio Osmeña III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

“He (Drilon) became ‘pikon’ (touchy) only in one or two instances. I can understand that, because he is a lawyer. A lawyer will always object when immaterial or impertinent ang questioning. But since this is not a court of law, we don’t have to adhere to the rules of court strictly,” Senator Sergio Osmeña III said in an interview.

Drilon faced off with Senator Nancy Binay during the hearing when he said that the lady senator was “beating around the bush” during her questioning.

The tension between Binay and Drilon rose when she asked Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson about the source of the P100 million coursed by the Department of Public Works and Highways to the ICC.

Binay then asked Singson if there was any legislator who endorsed the budget to which Drilon butted in and asked: “Why doesn’t my colleague ask me what my role in funding here..? Don’t beat around the bush.”

The lady senator asked Drilon if he requested funding for the project to which he affirmed. Drilon then added that the questions of Binay were immaterial and stressed that the probe should focus on the question if there was any public fund stolen in connection to the project.

Yet, Osmeña lauded Drilon for participating in the hearing and facing the committee.

“In fairness to Senate President Drilon, I admire him for coming down and subjecting himself to questions. But of course, the senators did not like to question him, so he was the one rebutting what the senators were saying. It almost became a debate between Senator Drilon and Senator Binay. However, he volunteered to come and join the process,” Osmeña added.

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