The Senate “word war” is now between Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who on Wednesday fired off verbal bombs meant to humiliate each other.

Lacson called Santiago a “hypocrite par excellence” and a “crusading crook.” The senator was incensed when Santiago called him an “attack dog” of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

The Senate war started when Santiago disclosed that Enrile had given 18 senators P1.6 million each last Christmas. However, Santiago, Senators Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes 4th, Alan Peter Cayetano and sister Pia got only P250,000 each. Enrile said that the money was part of the senators’ maintenance and other operating expenses, and that he did not violate any law when he distributed the cash gifts.

Santiago said that she returned the money.

She questioned the giving of the “cash gift” and asked the Commission on Audit (COA) to look into the possible abuse of public funds by some senators.

The senator said that she may end up filing a case in court.

“I am required by law to observe the principle of exhaustion of administrative remedies. This means that first I have to go to the COA and request for a study and report on the issue of constitutionality,” Santiago said in a statement.

“If the COA opinion differs from mine, only then will I be allowed to file a court case. If not, the court will dismiss my petition,” she added.
 
Crook
“Sen. Miriam Santiago is what we may call a crusading crook. She pretends to be clean when she is not,” Lacson said in a text message sent to reporters.

He said that Santiago “doesn’t have a single shred of integrity in her veins and moral ascendancy over any mortal on earth.”

“Ask the people who have fallen victims to her verbal threats and assaults and they will tell you how much they shelled out,” he added.

Santiago earlier slammed Lacson for pretending to be a lawyer and for telling her to shut up.

“He does not even have a clue about the principle of exhaustion of administrative remedies. He was involved in a court case and he turned tail and became a fugitive from justice, which is criminal behavior,” she added.

Lacson went into hiding for several months when a trial court issue a warrant for his arrest over the death of former publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer.

The feisty senator vowed to continue her attacks against Lacson.

“If that senator wants to participate in the conspiracy of silence, he can, but he should respect my freedom of expression and the public’s right to know under the Constitution. If a dog barks at midnight, the homeowner should go out and search for the intruder, instead of beating the dog,” she said.

But Lacson urged Santiago to do some “soul searching and self-reflection” and to “also stop blaming God for all her hurt feelings.”
 
Miriam bursts blood vessels
The protracted verbal war caused Santiago’s blood pressure to shoot up.

Her opthalmologist, Dr. Rodolfo Chuanico, said that the blood vessels in Santiago’s right eye burst, leaving the senator red-eyed.

Yesterday afternoon, Elsie Gayo, a registered nurse who works in Santiago’s office, said that the senator’s blood pressure was 190/115.

Santiago developed hypertension after appearing on the early morning TV show Headstart with host Karen Davila.

Santiago was visibly agitated when she accused Enrile of making personal attacks on her.

She has been advised to rest the eye and to continue taking her medication.

Enrile, who is 89, accused Santiago of always being sick.

Santiago admitted that she has been absent for certain periods of time because of hypothyroidism and hypertension.