Padilla dares impeachment trial prosecutors to investigate his expenses

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Senator Robin Padilla on Thursday dared the House prosecution panel to investigate him over his P1.54 million worth of expenses that he said were spent to help people in need.

Padilla made the challenge after private prosecutor Rey Robles’ cross examination of defense witness Chad Parian on Day 43 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Robles asked Parian if the P256,000 worth of shoe purchase by Atty. Manases Carpio, husband of Vice President Duterte, for the children of Elite Basketball team and their parents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is compliant with Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees, which defines simple living as a core norm of conduct.

Parian — who noted that his son and Carpio's son were teammates in a recent tournament in Malaysia — stopped short of giving Robles a categorical answer. Instead, he said the children deserved new shoes after winning a basketball championship abroad.

Padilla then said he is ready to be investigated as enumerated some expenses of his own.

“Para ano lang po iyong halagang P250,000. Nung kailan lang po, gumastos ako ng P900,000. Gusto niyo imbestigahan niyo kung saan ko dinala. Ito lang po, iyong pinagbabaril sa Tacloban, ginastusan ko ng P300,000. Iyon pinagbabaril po diyan sa South Cotabato, sa eskwelahan, ginastusan ko po ngayon ng P340,000,” Padilla said told the House prosecution panel.

(What is the P250,000 for? A while ago, I spent P900,000. You want me to investigate where I took it. This is it, the one who was shot in Tacloban, I spent P300,000 on. The one who was shot in South Cotabato, at the school, I spent P340,000 on this.)

“Paimbestigahan niyo ako (Investigate me),” Padilla added.

Padilla then called on colleagues in Congress not to stand in the way of the passage of the Freedom of Information bill, which he supports, so the people know who are living lavish lifestyles.

He said there are House members who ride cars worth P16 million to P22 million and have several houses.

House prosecutor Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro party-list responded by saying he has no personal knowledge of the information being put forward by Padilla on House members leading a lavish life.

The exchange was made as the defense is presenting its evidence against Article 2, which accuses the Vice President of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution due to alleged unexplained wealth, non-declaration of assets and non-divestment in businesses. — BAP, GMA News