What Really Happened Between Robin Padilla & Jonvic Remulla at the Senate
ROBIN PADILLA – A confrontation inside the Senate lobby has become the center of public attention after Robin Padilla disputed claims that he started the commotion.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla stood by his claim that he was pushed during a confrontation involving Senator Robin Padilla at the Senate on Thursday.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions surrounding a Senate hearing related to the controversial flood control scandal being investigated by the Blue Ribbon Committee, led by allies of ousted Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
According to Remulla, he was present at the Senate upon the request of Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian. The secretary said his role was to “ensure order and that the Senate premises are well-protected.”
As events unfolded, a confrontation reportedly took place when Padilla and 18 alleged former Marines arrived at the Senate building. The group was there to attend the committee hearing related to the ongoing inquiry.
Remulla maintained that he was on his way out when the encounter happened.
“I was walking out when I was pushed aside,” Remulla told the Inquirer in a text message.
When asked whether he intended to block Padilla and the 18 alleged ex-Marines from entering the Senate premises, Remulla dismissed the suggestion.
“How can I do that? I was alone,” he said.
The secretary’s account sparked reactions online, prompting Padilla to publicly deny allegations that he initiated the physical encounter.
In a social media post, the senator emphasized his respect for the Interior secretary and rejected claims that he started any disturbance.
“Mataas ang respeto ko po sa kalihim ng DILG, Sir Jonvic Remulla […] Hindi ko po magagawa ang bintang na ako po ay nag umpisa ng kaguluhan sa lobby ng senado,” he wrote in his post.
Padilla further asserted that his actions during the incident were aimed at easing tensions rather than escalating them. According to the senator, he was trying to calm the situation during the encounter.
The differing accounts from Remulla and Padilla have fueled public interest in what transpired inside the Senate lobby. As of writing, no further official findings regarding the incident have been released.
The confrontation came as political tensions continued to surround the Senate’s investigation into the alleged flood control irregularities, drawing attention not only to the hearing itself but also to the events that unfolded around it.
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