‘Mahal kita’: Senate session turns into comedy hour after Lapid’s surprise ‘confession’

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'Gusto ko po kasi na malaman mo na,' Lito Lapid says, pausing briefly. 'Mahal kita.'

The Senate Session Hall has seen a whirlwind of emotions in recent weeks: an angry senator evading an arrest warrant, a senator in tears, and bitter feuds on the plenary floor.

But on Tuesday, May 26, the divided chamber witnessed a lighter moment — senators laughing together.

In a rare appearance at the podium, Senator Lito Lapid, also a movie and television action star, took the floor during session to clarify that he remains part of the minority bloc following reports on social media that he joined the majority bloc.

Lapid also said he supported the motion of Senator Migz Zubiri to strike from the record the video presentation of Senator Imee Marcos, which alleged that members of the minority were pushing for charter change.

The motion, raised during the previous day’s session, was eventually withdrawn after Marcos herself agreed to it, as suggested by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

“Mananatili po ako sa minority. Hindi po ako aalis dito,” Lapid said. (I’ll stay in the minority. I’ll not leave.) 

“Ang hiling ko lang dito sa Senado ay sana magkaisa tayo. Iwasan na ang bangayan, ang dami-dami nating bisita dito,” he added. “Pagdasal niyo po kami na magkaisa na kami para maibalik ang dangal sa Senado.”

(My only appeal in the Senate is that we unite. Let’s avoid further infighting, we have so many guests here. Please pray for us, that we may finally come together and restore the dignity of the Senate.)

Lapid’s remarks drew applause from the plenary.

Joke time

Then came the comedy hour.

Senate President Cayetano — who has been at the center of the chamber’s leadership tensions and coup rumors — expressed appreciation for Lapid.

“Wala ka man sa majority, Senator Lito Lapid, nandiyan ka parati sa puso namin,” Cayetano said. (Even if you’re not in the majority, Senator Lito Lapid, you will always be in our hearts.)

Senator Pia Cayetano also chimed in with a joke of her own.

“Majority or minority, buwan-buwan nagpapadala pa rin siya sa akin ng maja blanca (coconut milk pudding with corn) at suman (sweet sticky rice cake). Maraming salamat po,” Pia said. (Whether he’s in the majority or minority, he still sends me maja blanca and suman every month.)

Lapid then made the most of his rare speech with a punchline. He stood up again and took the microphone.

“Gusto ko po kasi na malaman mo na (I want you to know)” Lapid said, pausing briefly. “Mahal kita (I love you).”

The chamber erupted in laughter as Lapid, wearing yellow-tinted glasses, stuck out his tongue like a movie star delivering a cheesy love confession.

Pia responded by blowing Lapid a kiss.

Her brother Alan, meanwhile, joked about the senator from Pampanga regularly bringing him sisig (sizzling minced pork) despite knowing he was already taking maintenance medicine for high cholesterol.

“So iniisip ko kung mahal din niya ako o si Senator Pia lang ang kanyang mahal,” Alan said. (So I’m thinking whether he loves me too, or if Senator Pia is the only one he loves.)

Senator Joel Villanueva, the son of a pastor, delivered the final joke of the exchange. “Mr. President, nilalapit ka raw niya sa Diyos,” he said. (Mr. President, he’s probably trying to bring you closer to God.)

From action, comdedy, drama, and action, the Senate truly has it all. – Rappler.com