Sen. Robin Padilla Ready for Changes on Impeachment Schedule
ROBIN PADILLA – The Senator spoke on balancing his duties in the Senate as a lawmaker and as a senator-judge in the ongoing impeachment trial.
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is ongoing. Currently, there are 20 working senators left in the chamber who play the role of senator-judges in the trial amid the allegations against the Vice President.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa remains hiding amid the reported arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him. Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada are currently detained due to plunder. Sen. Loren Legarda has yet to return to the Philippines and is on an extended medical leave.
Prior to the start of the impeachment trial, some senators were vocal that they do not support the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. One of them is Sen. Robin Padilla who is also a vocal Duterte ally.
In one of the recent trial proceedings, Sen. Robin Padilla even defended the use of “alias” in confidential funds. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is being questioned over her alleged misuse of the confidential funds of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
Here are some of the grounds that were raised against Duterte in the impeachment complaints filed against her before the House of Representatives:
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in amassing and converting the amount over PHP 500 million confidential funds (CF) allocated to the Office of the Vice President from 2022 to 2023
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in amassing and converting the amount of not less than PHP 112.5 million of confidential funds allocated to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the year 2023
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust by corrupting and bribing officials of the DepEd
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in contracting to murder or assassinate the president, the first lady, and the former speaker of the House
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in amassing unexplained wealth and failing to disclose all her properties and interests in properties in her SALN
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in committing acts of political destabilization and the high crimes of sedition and insurrection
Despite his being vocal then that he is against the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, Sen. Robin Padilla recently confirmed that he is ready to follow in case there will be changes in the schedule of the impeachment proceedings. Based on News5, his remarks came amid the speculations that the trial will be held on a whole day schedule.
“‘Di naman tayo pwedeng magreklamo. Nasa Constitution ‘yan. Kung ano gusto ng ating officer, gagawin natin,” he said.
Based on the post, Sen. Robin Padilla was also asked how he is balancing his Senate duties. Apart from being a lawmaker and a public official, he is also playing the role of a senator-judge now.
“‘Di na kami natutulog. Hinahati-hati — ako nga, mag-oopisina, bababa, mag-oopisina, bababa… Kailangan talaga. Wala eh, public official tayo, kailangang mag-adjust tayo kung ano ang dapat,” Padilla expressed.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte reacted to the challenge to her to attend the impeachment trial if she wants to speed up the proceedings. The Vice President has yet to appear for the first time in the trial since it started.
