MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robinhood Padilla on Monday said he is ready to fulfill his duty as senator-judge in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Senate, sitting as Impeachment Court, will begin the trial on July 6. It will try the four Articles of Impeachment against Duterte which the House of Representatives transmitted to the Senate.
"Isang karangalan po sa atin na maging (It would be an honor for us to be a) senator-judge," Padilla said in a chance interview.
"Ako po ay matahimik ngayon kasi nag-aaral tayo. Pinag-aaralan ko ang rules of court (I am keeping a low profile nowadays because I'am studying the rules of court)," he said.
Padilla, an ally of Duterte, said he will be fair in weighing the arguments of the defense and prosecution panels.
"Umasa kayo na una sa lahat dapat nating ipangako [na] tayo po ay patas, tayo ay parehas, walang tinititigan, tinitingnan (Rest assured that first of all we must promise that we will be fair, will not favor anyone)," he added.
Asked whether the Duterte will attend the trial, Padilla said, "Dapat ang tanungin natin kanyang abogado (We should ask her lawyers)."
