Nancy Binay gives Alan Cayetano a birthday hug

MANILA, Philippines - Senate Majority Floor Leader Alan Cayetano celebrated his birthday yesterday with a gesture from one of his political opponents.

A photo released by the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau (PRIB) showed Sen. Nancy Binay giving a hug to Cayetano.

"Birthday hug: Senator Nancy Binay wishes Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano a happy birthday at the Plenary Hall," the photo's caption read.

"Both senators had been at odds over the Senate inquiry on the alleged overpricing of the Makati Parking Building," it added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Cayetano slammed the Binays for acting like untouchable government officials.

He also censured Binay's response to singer Jim Paredes, who reportedly received a death threat after he posted a tweet criticizing Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The younger Binay urged Paredes not to be sensitive, according to media reports.

"Hindi ba dapat sagot niya bilang senador, supporters ko man kayo, you should never threaten anyone?" Cayetano said in an interview with ANC.

Cayetano is a member of the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee investigating the controversial building and other corruption allegations leveled against the Binays.

The Binays have criticized the inquiry and the senators for supposedly aiming to discredit the vice president ahead of the 2016 elections.

The elder Binay has refused to attend the Senate hearings, saying the senators have already prejudged him.