MANILA, Philippines - Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday suggested a unique penalty for private prosecutor Vitaliano Aguirre Jr. after he was cited in contempt by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
Cayetano said that for covering up his ears during a lecture by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, Aguirre should be "locked up in the Senate for 1 day and forced to watch Santiago's lectures nonstop for 24 hours."
The lawmaker said he took a picture of Aguirre closing his ears during Santiago's lecture and then showed it to fellow senators.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada then asked Aguirre to explain himself.
Cayetano said that instead of apologizing, Aguirre seemed to be taunting the court when he expressed resentment towards Santiago.
"Even if he felt that way, it's no excuse to do that before the court...He was really defiant. He couldn't see na hindi siya pina-punish about how he felt but his gestures niya and dating niya," he said.
"Maybe the best punishment for him is 24 hours pakinggan si Senator Miriam," he added.