Padilla ahead of obstruction case hearing: ‘Baka ma-miss ko na kayo’

MANILA, Philippines— Sen. Robinhood Padilla hinted Wednesday that his days in the Senate my be numbered as he faces an obstruction of justice complaint over allegations that he helped Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa leave the Senate compound in May.

Padilla mentioned the complaint  against him  during the 29th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Kaya po namin nababangit ang mga kasama namin sa minorya na kasalukuyan ay nasa piitan sapagkat malinaw naman po na baka ito na rin  ang huli ko ditong araw e. Hindi ko na alam e,” he said.

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(That is why we mention our colleagues in the minority who are currently detained, because it is clear that this could also be my last day here. I really don’t know.)

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“Ang  hearing ko sa Byernes na . Hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang susunod. Baka ma-miss ko na kayo,” Padilla said.

(My hearing is on Friday. I don’t know what will happen next. I might miss you.)

He made the remarks after Sen. Camille  Villar called on her colleagues to respect  those who are detained and absent  from the Senate because of the legal battles they are facing.

Senators  Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante  Marcoleta are currently in jail over separate plunder charges filed against them, while dela Rosa has  been in hiding since the International Criminal Court ordered his arrest in connection with the previous administration’s war on drugs.

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“I think we should be reminded that all of the senators that are detained and who are not here right now, that is not their choice,” Villar said.

“And I think it is unfair to call them out that their crimes are plunder and theft because none of those senators have been convicted. There are even a lot of questions why they are not here in the first place,” she further said.

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Padilla later aired the same sentiments.

“Pinapaliwanag lang po namin sa inyo na may pinagdadaanan ang minorya at hindi po dapat sana tayo pa dito ang nagdidiin sa mga kasama ninyo, bahay natin ito e,” he said.

(“We are simply explaining to you that the minority is going through something, and we should not be the ones here to further pressure our colleagues. This is our home, after all.)

“Ipinapaliwanag lang po namin na ‘wag  naman sana kaming parang  ipinagtutulakan nyo pa na kami ay nadeisisyunan ng korte, na kami ay mga convicted  na.  Sanay naman ako maging convicted. Pero wag namang ganyan,” he added.

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(We are simply explaining that we hope you won’t make it seem as though you are pushing us toward being judged by the courts, as though we have already been convicted. I’m used to being convicted. But let’s not do it thai way.) /gsg