MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judge Robinhood "Robin" Padilla clarified on Thursday that his remark urging prosecutors not to be "one-sided" during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte was a call for fairness and due process, not an attempt to favor either witnesses or senator-judges.
Padilla’s statement during the July 22 impeachment proceedings drew criticism and varying interpretations.
The senator said his statement was made in the context of the participation of senator-judges facing legal cases but who have not been convicted, particularly those whose attendance may be affected by court orders.
He cited House prosecutor Leila de Lima's remarks that the number of votes required for conviction could change if some senator-judges are legally unable to participate. Under the Constitution, conviction requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate, traditionally interpreted as 16 votes.
"If a witness is not automatically disqualified even if he has a conviction, why are senator-judges who have cases but are not convicted already being discussed in terms of the possibility that they will not be able to participate?" Padilla asked.
He stressed that he is not equating the legal qualifications of witnesses and senator-judges, which are governed by different rules. Rather, he said all legal remedies should first be exhausted to allow senator-judges to perform their duties.
