Miriam returns to Senate but walks out of CA hearing

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago returned to work at the Senate two months after announcing that she has lung cancer.

Santiago presided over the Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing at the Senate for the appointment of ambassadors and foreign service officers.

She was already hearing the nomination of one official when Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas questioned Santiago on how the proceedings should be conducted.

Fariñas argued that the CA foreign affairs committee chaired by Santiago cannot do business due to lack of quorum.

He further claimed that Santiago cannot recommend the confirmation of the appointees because of the absence of the other lawmakers belonging to the committee.

But Santiago pointed out that according to the CA rules, the quorum may consist of the presence of the chair only, the vice-chair only, or three members.

The senator then walked out of the hearing when Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV proposed to suspend the proceedings amid the heated exchanges between Santiago and Fariñas.

"You're questioning my authority. I walk out of this meeting!" Santiago said at the televised hearing before throwing a copy of the CA committee rules.

Santiago said Fariñas should have raised the issue before the hearing started.

"Ngayon sisirain mo 'yung procedure na noon pa (ginagawa)," Santiago said. She then adjourned the hearing.

At a televised press briefing later, Santiago said the hearing would only be delayed if they will wait for a majority of the 18 committee members to arrive.

"That is so bureaucratic and I hate it. I hate bureaucracy for the sake of delay," Santiago said.

"Ano pang hihintayin mo dahil their majesties did not come on time? That is the problem with these people, especially people from the House. They are so legalistic. Law is made for man, not otherwise," she added.

Santiago said she hates to make the public wait and she felt embarrassed because of Fariñas.

"I resent being embarassed in front of my own committee and in front of nominees who have come here in barong tagalog," she said.

The feisty senator said she will question any move of her committee to confirm the nominees without her.

Before the proceedings started, Santiago also threw a cameraman out of the room for making noises at the hearing.

"Who are you? Kausapin niyo nga 'yung taong 'yun. Huwag kang naggaganyan, nagmi-meeting kami," Santiago said.

"Lumabas ka. Now! Will you make him go out and teach him manners and let him come in," she added.