Humingi na ng paumanhin si Ang Probinsyano Party-list Rep. Alfred Delos Santos sa waiter na tinangka niyang sapakin, batay sa video nila na nag-viral sa social media.
Ipinamahagi ni Delos Santos sa media ang kanyang apology statement ilang araw makaraang kumalat online ang video nang pagsuntok niya sa nakailag namang waiter na si Christian Kent Alejo.
Sinabi ni Alejo sa isang panayam sa radyo na tinanggap niya ang paghingi ng paumanhin ng bagitong kongresista, pero nilinaw na wala siyang natanggap na kahit “single centavo” mula kay Delos Santos kapalit ng pagpapatawad niya rito.
Inaasahang dahil sa pagtanggap ng waiter sa sorry ni Delos Santos ay hindi na maghahain ang huli ng ethics complaint laban sa kongresista sa bubuuin pa lang na House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
“I would like to apologize to Christian Kent Alejo and his family for my action, and to our people for failing in their expectation of a public servant,” saad sa pahayag ni Delos Santos.
Isa si Delos Santos sa mga pinakabatang mambabatas na magsisimula ng sesyon para sa 18th Congress sa Hulyo 22.
Itinanggi rin ng kongresista na siya ay “siga, astig, or sanggano”, at inaming ang kanyang “emotions got the better [of himself]”.
“Hindi po ako siga, astig or sanggano. The people who know me well can attest to that,” ani Delos Santos.
“I have no excuse, only regret and the promise that it will not happen again.
“I don't have any excuse for what had happened. Regardless if I am a public servant or a private citizen, I should have not lost control of my emotions.
“My emotions got the best of me.
“I am sorry not only to Mr. Christian Kent Alejo and his family but also to the people who voted for Ang Probinsyano. Sorry for disappointing you,” bahagi pa ng pahayag ni Delos Santos.
Nag-sorry din siya sa kanyang party-list group at sa kanyang mga kapwa kongresista.
“I know you are all disappointed and I humbly accept whatever decision that you make in relation to my nomination in the partylist,” ani Delos Santos.
“I have learned my lesson out of this experience and given the chance, I would certainly commit myself to work even harder to advance the cause of our constituents, the probinsyanos.”
-Ben R. Rosario