Senator Eyes Ethics Complaint After Exchange With Colleague in Philippine Senate

A senator announced he would file an ethics complaint against a colleague after the two had a tense exchange on the Senate floor on May 12, 2026. The exchange took place one day after the ouster of one senator as Senate president and the confirmation of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for another senator.

During the session, the first senator sought details on the looming arrest, citing prior cases of senators arrested at the Senate premises by local court orders. The second senator responded that the matter had already been referred to the Senate committee on rules and should be discussed there rather than on the floor.

While the second senator was still speaking, the first senator talked over him, prompting the second senator to raise his voice to reclaim the floor. The first senator then stated he would file an ethics complaint. " he said. Session was suspended shortly afterward to ease the tension.

During the recess the second senator offered a handshake, which the first senator refused. In a later interview the first senator said he would withdraw the planned complaint only if the second senator apologized to him in the plenary session.

Reactions on social media In a social media post the same day, the second senator noted that in his years in the chamber he had witnessed many shouting matches but this was the first time an ethics complaint had been threatened over such an incident.

"Huwag maging balat sibuyas (Don’t be onion-skinned)," he said. He added that the planned complaint had no weight or legal basis. Many social media users defended the second senator, observing that the first senator had also raised his voice and had spoken out of turn.