Pacquiao takes offense at Trillanes' remarks: 'Wala naman talagang santo dito'

Senator Manny Pacquiao took offense at Senator Antonio Trillanes IV's earlier remarks against his colleagues who questioned the spiritual renewal of retired Davao City police officer Arturo Lascañas.

Pacquiao, who is also a pastor, on Wednesday said he never "imposed" his morals on Lascañas when the former cop appeared before the Senate public order committee and testified on the existence of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS), a group being linked to President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Wala naman talagang santo dito. We all commit sins. Wala ni isa sa 'tin na walang kasalanan," Pacquiao said in a privilege speech. "For the record, I did not become a saint after my [spiritual] renewal."

Without naming names, Trillanes on Tuesday scored his colleagues who doubted Lascañas' decision to speak out against Duterte on the basis of "spiritual renewal."

"Kagaya nung ibang senator na nagki-claim ng nagkaroon sila ng spiritual renewal, naging santo ba sila pagkatapos nun?" Trillanes asked.

Lascañas, in a complete turnaround from his October testimony, alleged in a public confession last month that Duterte, a former Davao City mayor, was behind the DDS.

Pacquiao said Trillanes should not give the senators a bad name. "Wala kaming intensyon na pigilan ang karapatan ng aming kasama [magsalita]. Just don't give us a bad name," he said. 

"It is good to be reminded that our primary role is to legislate," he added.

Pacquiao also said lying before the Senate is tantamount to lying before the whole country.

"Mr. President, we are not saints, but we are called only to do what is right and just," he said.

Trillanes apologized to Pacquiao, saying his remarks were not meant for the neophyte senator. "Let me assure you, hindi para sa'yo ang statement na yun," he said.

Trillanes said, however, that he cannot be accused of merely focusing on Senate investigations instead of passing laws.

"Sana huwag ako sabihan na puro investigation na lang," he said."The records would bear me out."

"Trabaho natin not only to legislate but in the systems of checks and balances, we need to check the abuses in the other branches of government," he added. —KBK, GMA News