Zubiri jokes Koko: You should have partied like the Speaker

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte witnesses the program proper during the birthday celebration of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez at the New Tagum City Hall in Davao del Norte on January 12, 2017. Also in the photo are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III. (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri jokingly told former political rival and Senator President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel that he should have also celebrated his recent birthday with a party like of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s gathering.

During the current Senate deliberations on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Zubiri recognized the presence of Pimentel’s father, former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., and greeted the younger Pimentel as he celebrated his 54^th birthday.

“Dapat nagpa-party ka rin katulad ni Speaker [You should have held a party just like the Speaker],” Zubiri said.

However, Zubiri hastily withdrew the statement, saying: “As the Speaker said, joke only.”

Earlier, Alvarez celebrated his recent birthday with a party attended by President Rodrigo Duterte and some notable personalities in politics and showbiz.

Aside from Duterte, Pimentel graced the event alongside Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua, Russian Ambassador to Manila Igor Khovaev, and other partisans of the ruling Partido Demokratiko – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Television host Boy Abunda and singer Jed Madela were also present during the birthday party.

The public criticized Alvarez’s birthday party, describing it as “excessive.”

However, Malacañang was quick to defend Alvarez against the backlash of criticisms, saying the birthday party was “simple” despite the attendance of high government officials.

“There was nothing lavish about the affair, I can assure you that,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

Zubiri and Pimentel were earlier “bitter rivals” as they were involved in a feud over the 2007 electoral fraud that initially gave the former a Senate seat.

Zubiri took the seat as the 12^th winning senator defeating Pimentel who was in the 13^th place.

The senator from Bukidnon then resigned after supposed evidence of cheating in the election. In August 2011, Pimentel replaced him in the Senate.

In 2016, the two settled their rivalry after no less than Zubiri nominated Pimentel to be the Senate President.