Calling critics 'trolls,' Gatchalian says he reached 'breaking point' in Twitter firestorm

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED: 5:14 p.m.)— Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday defended his outburst on Twitter, saying he reached his breaking point.

In his statement, Gatchalian once again acknowledged that he was the person behind the expletive tweets. He blamed "trolls" for his online meltdown.  

"They [have] been provoking me since before the campaign. They're designed demean you to bring out the worst in a person," the senator was quoted by News5 Aksyon. 

Gatchalian also echoed earlier remarks by his colleague, Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, who said senators are "also human (who) get hurt and affected, too."

"I'm also human like everyone else. I have a breaking point. I can tolerate insults and critisms pero may hangganan din ako," Gatchalian was quoted by News5 Aksyon.

READ: JV Ejercito defends Gatchalian over Twitter expletives

On New Year’s day, Gatchalian reacted to tweets calling him "ingrate" or "trapo" for laying blame on the preceding Aquino administration for some of the country's ills. Gatchalian is currently an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Gatchalian, himself a former supporter of President Noynoy Aquino said, "The nation lost its soul in the last six years."

The senator responded to Twitter users with expletives, calling them "g**o" or moron and "u***l" or retarded.

The remark drew flak from netizens who reminded him how he used to be Aquino's ally. They also said his behavior was inappropriate for an elected public official.