Sen. Robin Padilla responded to the singer Audie Gemora’s criticism of his statement that he found it difficult to follow plenary discussions since his colleagues frequently used the English language in their remarks.

According to recent rumors, the new member acknowledged that it was challenging for him to understand plenary discussions since other senators would usually speak in English. On his Twitter page, Audie posted a news clip about it.

The actor-turned-lawmaker was criticized by the singer.

Audie said in the caption of his image, “You put a kinder-gardener in graduate school and expect the class to adjust?” Sen. Robin Padilla responded to Audie’s reaction in a post that she posted on Sunday.

MJ Quiambao Reyes, co-founder of the nonprofit, non-governmental group The Little Swallow, wrote the post that Padilla published, which was based on an article from the Manila Bulletin.

“Una, bago po kayo mang insulto, siguruhin n’yo po muna na tama ang spelling nyo ng KINDERGARTNER para di ka naman nakakahiya,” Reyes expressed in the post.

The head of the NGO added that a person’s ability to speak English well is not a reliable indicator of intellect. Reyes emphasized that language appreciation is not a sign of ignorance.

Padilla is promoting the use of the Filipino language in the Senate, he added, so that more Filipinos can comprehend the topics under discussion.

Reyes said that former president Rodrigo Duterte had told him that Robin Padilla is in fact “mahusay” and that he has the ability to communicate in English but prefers to use Filipino instead.

“Mabuhay mga kapanalig sa adhikaing makabayan at makaPilipino,” the senator captioned the Reyes post when he reposted it.