Senator Robin Padilla has pledged to defend former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte until the Senate formally convenes as an impeachment court. He emphasized his rights as a member of the PDP-Laban party in a recent interview.
Padilla stated, "It is my right to defend Digong as a PDP-Laban member. I will do everything to defend Digong and Inday." However, he acknowledged that his role would change if the Senate were to preside over the impeachment trial.
While the Senate awaits action regarding the vice president's impeachment case, Padilla asserted that lawmakers can still express their political positions before the court convenes. He noted, "As long as we are still legislators, we have the right to speak."
Senate's Role in Impeachment Process
Padilla's statements come as the House of Representatives prepares to address the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte. Some senators in the minority have expressed mixed feelings about the process, while Padilla maintains that the minority's role is to monitor the proceedings.
"The minority serves as the watchdog. What does watchdog mean? You monitor what the majority is doing. If there is nothing wrong, then you support it," Padilla explained.
Despite his loyalty to the Duterte family, Padilla reassured that he would judge the case fairly based on the evidence presented. "When it comes to being a judge, all of that is stripped away. That is very clear in the Constitution," he stated.