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Senate session suspended over Madrigal outburst

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/16/2008 6:16 PM

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Session was suspended at the Senate Tuesday following a squabble between Senators Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal and Alan Peter Cayetano on who will take the floor as the debate raged on the alleged P200-million double appropriation for the C-5 road extension project.

At the beginning of the session, Sen. Joker Arroyo delivered a privilege speech to answer Sen. Panfilo Lacson's statement that he and Cayetano are virtually protecting Senate President Manny Villar by blocking the investigation.

In his speech, Arroyo said he sees no reason to investigate the budget insertions because there was nothing irregular about them.

The trouble began after Arroyo's speech, when Cayetano, who is allied with Villar, and Madrigal, an ally of Lacson, both wanted to speak.

“Are we becoming a senate who does not keep our word? We have an understanding with the majority leader that after Senator Joker, and I have the understanding that Senator Lacson would entertain my interpellation. Are we becoming now a senate of liars?” said Madrigal in her outburst.

This forced Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada to temporarily suspend the session.

In an interview over ANC, Madrigal said they had an agreement to allow her to speak after Arroyo’s speech to interpellate Lacson. However, Estrada allowed Cayetano to take the floor.

“It looks like it was rehearsed, parang niluto kami eh,” said Madrigal. “When Senator Lacson rose to continue on his privelege speech, Jinggoy Estrada did not recognize him and waited for Senator Cayetano."

For his part, Cayetano said that since his name was mentioned in Lacson’s privilege speech, he is entitled to a personal privilege.

"My name was mentioned by Senator Lacson… any parliamentarian will tell you that when your name was mentioned you are given personal and collective privilege. It is above fairness,” said Cayetano.

He also cited that it is now right for Madrigal to immediately interpellate after Lacson’s speech.

“In fact Senator Madrigal should not be the first to interpellate because she is part of the resolution and kakampi niya si Lacson sa isyung ito. if you talk about fairness, you know you can’t have your way all the time,” he said.

To solve the deadlock, the Senate took a vote to determine who among the two senators would be allowed to speak first.

The Senate voted 9-6, in favor of Cayetano.

as of 09/22/2008 8:36 PM