Nine senators voted to adopt a resolution to censure the disorderly, sexually explicit gesture Sen. William Parkinson made on session floor earlier this year.

Senators Joanne Brown, Chris Barnett, Frank Blas Jr., Chris Duenas, Tina Muna Barnes, Jesse Lujan, Sabina Perez, Telo Taitague and Spkr. Therese Terlaje voted in support.

Senators Roy Quinata and Dwayne San Nicolas opposed it.

“At this time, I would like to recuse myself as I have not been afforded due process under a court of law,” said Sen. Parkinson during the vote on session floor Monday night.

According to Resolution 579, Parkinson made a hand jerking motion depicting male masturbation angled towards Sen. Brown during the Oct. 2024 emergency session. The gesture was seen by senators, legislative staff, and staff of the Mayors Council of Guam who were in session hall.

Parkinson called the resolution a “political stunt” and a “farce.”

'Say sorry'

During session Monday night, senators testified why they felt the resolution was needed.

“If Sen. Parkinson had apologized early on this would have been a non-issue, at least not an issue that would’ve gone this far,” said Sen. Brown. “But when you lie about it, it makes me wonder what else do you lie about, what else do you try to cover up?”

“You’re not going to learn if you’re not punished,” said Sen. Taitague. “If we allow this person to get off scot-free and the next person does something like this, all they have to say is well you let Sen. Parkinson get away with it.”

“I think what’s been most disappointing about this for me is how easy it would’ve been for the senator to simply say sorry,” said Sen. Chris Barnett.

“I just don’t want our legislature to be the one that goes down in history and sets this example for the girls and women of Guam that we turn the other way when this kind of behavior happens,” said Spkr. Terlaje.

Sen. San Nicolas spoke in Parkinson’s defense.

“Does this trial, does this witch hunt, does this action by our body is it commensurate to the good that Sen. Parkinson does,” said Sen. San Nicolas in defense of Parkinson. “I say it’s unequal. It’s doesn’t balance out.”

Senators Tom Fisher, Amanda Shelton and Joe San Agustin were excused from voting.