Robin Padilla Denies Snubbing Ombudsman Summons

Senator-Judge Robin Padilla, at the start of the impeachment trial on Monday, took the floor to deny that he snubbed the summons of the Ombudsman in the obstruction of justice case against him. The manifestation drew a response from Senator-Judge Erwin Tulfo, who said the court and the trial were not the venue and time for senators to air their explanations regarding allegations against them. “Itong nakaraang linggo, lumabas po sa mga balita na may alegasyon na ako daw po ay hindi sumusunod sa batas. Ito ay nakalulungkot sa isang senador, sa isang senator-judge ang masabihan na hindi sumusunod sa batas,” Padilla said. “Nakalulungkot po na pati ang media ay nakikisama sa ganitong klaseng propaganda, na ang isang senador ay hindi sumusunod sa batas, isang senator-judge,” he added. Padilla said he has already filed his counter-affidavit before the Ombudsman. “Inaamin ko po sa inyo, kung ICC lang, hindi po talaga ako susunod. Hindi ako magpapasakop sa ICC. Pero dahil ginagalang ko po ang Ombudsman dahil siya po ay aking kaibigan na itinuturing…nag-file po kami,” he said. GMA News sought Padilla's comment after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the senator ignored the Ombudsman's summons in connection with the complaint. Padilla is facing an obstruction of justice complaint in connection with the departure of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa from the Senate premises in May. Padilla's manifestation did not sit well with Tulfo, who said that the impeachment court is not the right forum or place to air explanations about the senator-judges’ personal issues. “This court was established, was created…for the Vice President and Vice President only. This should be her time, this should be her forum. Not our forum here na ilabas natin ang saloobin natin, mga sagot natin sa mga akusasyon, mga kaso laban sa atin,” Tulfo said. “This is also not the time, Mr. President, Mr. Presiding Officer, na hanapin ‘yung mga kasama nating nawawala, nakakulong. Dapat po doon sa Senado natin, sa sesyon natin and not in this court,” he continued. Tulfo said the manifestations regarding senators defending themselves already happened last week. Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano then cited former senator Joker Arroyo, saying that it is useless to argue a legal point with non-lawyers. “Ang legal principle natin today is simple—integrity ng court. So allow me to mention that to the people and help educate my colleague here. The integrity of the court and the justices or judges is always relevant,” Cayetano said. “So if the Supreme Court or Comelec, Court of Tax Appeals, Sandiganbayan is being heard, and the judges are being threatened, you give them time. So we cannot take the impeachment out of context,” he added. To recall, during last week’s trial, Cayetano and Padilla spoke at the impeachment court regarding the statement by National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag that he would investigate alleged anomalies in the bidding and funding of projects for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Cayetano, who served as chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) for the 2019 SEA Games, has repeatedly denied the irregularities alleged in the building of the sports facilities, which he described as world-class. Senator-Judge Vicente "Tito" Sotto III moved that the manifestations be referred to the Senate proper. “I do not have four years of law, but I have 29 years of lawmaking,” Sotto said. But Escudero ruled that Padilla’s manifestation shall remain in the records. “I ask the indulgence of the parties to this case—wala po kasi kaming sesyon, ito lang ang pagkakataon na nakakapagsalita at nagkikita-kita kami habang recess kami. Pero umaasa ako na kapag nag-resume na ang Senado sa susunod na linggo matapos ang SONA ng Pangulo, may pagkakataon na ang bawat miyembro ng Senado, bilang senador, hindi bilang senator-judge, na mailabas ‘yung mga hinaing o ano mang nais nilang sabihin,” Escudero said. –NB/BM, GMA News