We all expect Philippine politics to be a dirty game. But there are politicians who exceed our expectations. SPOT.ph lists some of the most cringe-inducing moments in Pinoy politics.
Nene Pimentel lets his mouth get the better of him.
1. SENATOR AQUILINO "NENE" PIMENTEL JR. GETS DOWN AND DIRTY WITH HIS "INSERTION" AT THE SENATE. Diarrhea of the mouth must have struck Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. on January 25, 2010. In an ethics committee hearing on the alleged financial allocation insertion made by Senator Manuel "Manny" Villar, Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II clarified that he himself did not engage in such a practice. "I say no," he said. "I had no insertion on any matter. In fact, I have no insertion, period. Because we're in the minority! Let alone an insertion for a road to pass through any such property." To which, Pimentel quipped: "Well, well, I am sure that after your marriage, you had some insertions. But that may be different." The comment prompted laughter from the gallery, but it was clearly in bad taste. "That is an affront on my wife (Korina Sanchez), Mr. President!" Roxas exclaimed. The following day, Pimental apologized for his "coarse and vulgar" words. "To those who I might have hurt in this Chamber by the use of intemperate language or unseemly expressions, I apologize and beg their forgiveness through you, Lord," he said.
The Eraserheads rock on with their controversial tune.
2. SENATOR VICENTE "TITO" SOTTO III GOES AFTER THE ERASERHEADS. In August 1995, Senate assistant majority leader Sotto decided he had to get busy. It was his mission to save all the Filipino youth from drugs and all forms of vices. Thus, he called for a ban on the airplay and sales of "Alapaap" by the Eraserheads. Other bands included in the so-called audio crackdown were Teeth for "Laklak" and Yano for "Iskolar ng Bayan." The E-heads–Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala, and Raymund Marasigan–had to write a letter to Sotto. There, they stated, "We are saddened by the fact that this song, 'Alapaap,' which the band considers to be our 'ode to freedom' as artists in our society, was dubbed as an 'ode to drug abuse,' by the Junior Drug Watchers." It is no longer clear what Sotto's point was.
