Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II apologized on Wednesday to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, whom he had called names such as as “stupid senator,” “coward” and “sundalong kanin” (useless soldier).

Aguirre offered the apology to Trillanes after the latter confronted him during the hearing of the Commission on Appointments’ committee on justice and judicial bar council for his insulting remarks against him.

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“Due to the pressure and volume of my work, I might have hurt people in my choice of words and for that I profusely apologize specifically to Senator Trillanes,” the Justice Secretary said.

“I value opinions and I value opposition. That’s democracy at work and I consider it as part of the confirmation process,” he added.

Aguirre earlier admitted calling Trillanes names after the senator accused him of being involved in the P50-million bribery scandal at the Bureau of Immigration.

The senator accepted the apology but said Aguirre still has other issues that need to be addressed such as the reported memorandum, which allegedly indicated that he ordered the restoration of “unwarranted” privileges being enjoyed by some high-profile inmates.

“The sincere apology extended to me by Secretary Aguirre is accepted and I believe the Secretary has learned some lessons in this public episode and I take his word that this incident would not happen again,” Trillanes said.

Asked in an interview with reporters if he believed Aguirre’s apology was sincere, Trillanes said: “Ako gumaan ang loob ko about it (I felt better about it). It was never personal for me to begin with.” CDG

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