'Medyo dumudugo tenga ko': Robin quips about plenary debates

Neophyte Senator Robin Padilla said Thursday he is having a hard time keeping up during the Senate plenary debates as most of his colleagues communicate using the English language.

In a light moment with reporters, Padilla joked that his ears bled during the exchange among Senate President Pro-Tempore Loren Legarda, Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, and Senator Francis Tolentino.

"Hindi naman lahat hindi ko naiintindihan. 'Pag gumamit lang sila ng mga English na pang dictionary, marami talaga eh. Minsan biglang, lalo 'pag nagtatalo na," he said.

"Nung nagtalo si Senator Legarda saka si Senator Tolentino at saka si Senator Koko, 'yon nagkalabasan na ng mga Webster [dictionary] doon...Medyo tenga ko ang dumugo," he added.

"Kunwari tumatango tango ka pa. Pero nasa isip mo: 'Ano daw?'" he went on.

Padilla said he was just observing the manifestations of his senior colleagues during the deliberations and he always awaits for the journal which contains all the actions made by the senators during the session.

So far, the first-time senator said he finds the first week of session "fun and exciting" and was even "saddened" that there is no session every Thursday.

"Nakakapanabik. Araw-araw gusto mong umaga na para makapunta ka na doon," he said.

"Kailangan lang makibagay talaga ako, kasi ayoko na uli maulit 'yung mga mali kong...para sa ‘kin kasi, team player ako eh. Akala ko kasi pwede 'yung ganun, na pag mayroon kang gustong reaction, pwede mo nang gawin," he added, apparently referring to his manifestation stating on record that he will not participate in voting for Senator Joel Villanueva as Senate majority leader.

Padilla said he does not want to go against the Senate's "culture" where they will follow the rules in each manifestation.

He reiterated that his issue with Villanueva has already been settled, adding that he is willing to vote for him as majority leader if the elections was not held last Monday.

At the same time, Padilla said he discovered the brotherhood and the sisterhood in the Senate whenever they were in the executive lounge.

But he admitted that he is still adjusting in terms of building camaraderie with his colleagues.

"Pinipilit naman ni [Senate president] na ma-welcome ako. Siyempre bago ka eh, para sa eskwelahan din pag bago ka, makisama ka muna. Pinipilit ko naman makisama," he said.

Padilla said he is not intimidated nor affected if there are some of his colleagues who snub him during the Senate sessions and their fellowship at the longue.

Medical Cannabis Bill

Meanwhile, Padilla assured the public that the Medical Cannabis Bill he filed has enough safeguards against abuse.

Under his bill, the neophyte senator explained that only accredited public hospitals are allowed to distribute processed marijuana products in forms of cannabis oil or capsule.

"'Di puwedeng saan-saan mabibili. Ang gusto natin sa public hospital kasi ang kikitain mapupunta sa public hospital para itong public hospital 'di mangangalap kung saan-saan pang budget dahil ito napatunayan sa bansang nag-legal ng medical, malaki ang kita rito," he said.

"'Di mo siya mabibili nang raw form. Di ako pumayag na two joints tayo pare o three joints tayo. 'Di pa tayo handa doon. Unti-unti. Medicine talaga siya, inumin mo siya as capsule o oil," he added.

Padilla said he will consult the Department of Health and other concerned agencies on his proposed measure during the Senate hearings but he insisted on the need for this law as other states, even first-world countries, have already allowed its use for medical purposes.

Joint exploration

The lawmaker also reiterated his stance on joint oil exploration in the West Philippine Sea amid the current economic crisis brought about by the skyrocketing prices of fuel products.

Padilla said the Philippines is blessed with natural resources such as gold, copper, gas, and oil but it is still lagging behind other countries in terms of maximizing its resources.

"Basta ang kailangan lang natin ngayon, imbes na inaaway natin ang China magkaroon na lang tayo ng joint exploration sa kanila sa West Philippine Sea," he said.

"Nagpunta ako roon, galing ako roon. Walang pinakamaganda kundi bakit 'di natin sabihin sa China, bakit 'di tayo mag-usap para sa profit? 'Wag muna natin pag-usapan ang teritoryo kasi 'di tayo magkaintindihan diyan. Ang pag-usapan natin ang kita. Mag-mosquito ka na diyan, bumutas ka na diyan," he added.

The lawmaker said the Philippines and China can come into an agreement where the 60% of the profit can go to Asia's powerhouse and the other 40% will proceed to the Philippines.

"Kung gusto n'yo 60 sa inyo, 40 sa amin. Basta pagkakitaan na natin siya. 'Wag masyadong maging matigas kung kumakalam ang sikmura ng taumbayan. Mahirap maging matapang masyado nang gutom ka kasi ang katapangan na 'yan nagiging pang-siraulo na 'yan," he argued.

He said that China can get the 60% profit from the joint exploration considering that they have the equipment for the drilling activities in WPS.

Under the Constitution, the lawmaker noted that at least 60% of the business should be owned by a Filipino citizen, while the rest can be owned by the foreign investor.

Despite his suggestion, Padilla said this doesn't mean that the Philippines will give up its ownership over the disputed territories.

"Ngayon, problema natin saan kukuha ng langis. Nag-offer ang Russia ng langis ayaw natin baka ma-sanction tayo. Dami nating problema mismo e may langis tayo, may gas tayo. Ang akin, para maging practical na muna tayong mga Pinoy. 'Di ko sinasabing ibahag natin ang buntot natin, wala tayong ibibigay na teritoryo," he said.

Narrating his personal visit in the West Philippine Sea in May 2021, the lawmaker also claimed that reports on China's invasion of islands are not 100% true.

"Inisa-isa ko ang isla, naroon lahat na AFP natin pero totoong may Chinese doon. Ang problema, tayo wala roon. 'Yan ang sinasabi ko, sabi tayo nang sabi na atin 'yan pero pag pumunta ka roon ni isang barko wala tayo roon," he said.

"Kung gusto natin talagang sabihing atin yan, sabihan natin ang kababayan natin pumunta tayo roon," he added.—AOL, GMA News