FACT-CHECK: Cayetano, Zubiri did not exchange blows during heated argument

CLAIM: Senators Alan Cayetano and Migz Zubiri figured in a fistfight.

RATING: MISSING CONTEXT

A Facebook reel misleadingly claimed that Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Juan Miguel Zubiri had exchanged blows on the Senate floor.

The video showed a portion of the original footage broadcast by local media outlets with a text overlay that read: “Anong title ng movie na [‘to?]” (What is the title of this movie?)

In the caption, Facebook user “Banat Dong” mentioned “Suntukan na [sa senado].” (It’s a fistfight in the Senate).

Despite the heated argument between the lawmakers, the two did not engage in a fistfight.

Other senators and the Senate sergeant at arms were seen in the footage quickly separating the two.

Zubiri and Cayetano found themselves in a heated argument after the Senate adopted Concurrent Resolution No. 23 that transferred 10 enlisted men’s barrios (EMBO) barangays to Taguig City’s two congressional districts.

Zubiri argued that the adoption of the resolution was not on the Sept. 24 session’s agenda and that it should instead be discussed in the next session the following day.

Cayetano answered that he sought to expedite the resolution to avoid delays and give time for those seeking to represent the EMBOs in Congress to run and for voters in the area to be able to vote for their representatives.

Cayetano also clarified that he tried to approach Zubiri to explain the bill.

Zubiri said in the Kapihan sa Senado on Sept. 26 that he and Cayetano had reconciled and that he only wished that the Senate leadership would offer more clarification if such a situation would arise again. Hurt Allauigan

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