Robin Padilla, others urged to recuse from Sara Duterte impeachment trial

Senator Robin Padilla and several other senators should recuse themselves from the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, a member of the Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties (MCCCL) on Monday said.

In a press conference at the UP Diliman, MCCCL spokesperson Atty. Jojo Lacanilao asked this of senators “who prejudged” the impeachment trial. 

“Kailangan si Senator Robinhood mag-recuse at ‘yung ibang senador na nagpipigil, mag-recuse kayo. Kasi gumawa na kayo ng ano eh, ng desisyon eh, na hindi pa niyo nakikita officially ‘yung dokumento at hindi niyo pa nakikita officially ‘yung ebidensya,” Lacanilao said.

(Senator Robinhood and the other senators who are blocking it, recuse yourselves. Because you already made a decision without officially seeing the document, without seeing the evidence.)

In response, Padilla said it was better to await the decision of the Supreme Court on the impeachment.

"Maraming salamat po sa mungkahi ng MCCCL. Mainam po sa ngayon ay antayin ang magiging desisyon ng Kataastaasang Hukom patungkol sa impeachment," Padilla told GMA News Online.

Last week, lawyer Catalino Generillo Jr. asked the SC to compel the Senate to “immediately” convene as an impeachment court, arguing that the Constitution does not permit the Senate to delay its duty during recess.

On Monday, the high court said the petition has been raffled. This may be included in the SC's agenda on Tuesday, February 18 along with other petitions.

In January, Padilla said he stood by the UniTeam and that he would “definitely” vote no to impeaching Duterte.

Lacanilao said this was an affront to the 1987 Constitution.

“Teka muna, napakalapastangan naman sa Constitution niyan. Gawin mo ‘yung trabaho mo. Hindi ‘yung prine-prejudged mo na. Hindi mo na  titignan ‘yung ebidensya,” he said.

(Wait a second, this is an affront to the Constitution. Do your job. You shouldn’t prejudge it yet. Look at the evidence.)

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with 215 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. The Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate the same day, with an additional 25 congressmen later signing, bringing the total to 240.

Senate President Chiz Escudero, however, said the Senate could only convene as an impeachment court when Congress is in session, meaning the trial would begin when the 20th Congress opens in July. 

For Lacanilao, the senator is seemingly delaying the impeachment trial.

“Forthwith and you're talking about three months? Hindi na forthwith ‘yun, diba? Kaya panawagan natin gampanan ng Senado ‘yung kanilang mga katungkulan para makita talaga natin,” he said. 

Lacanilao said he is convinced that the evidence against Duterte is strong.

“I think ‘yung panawagan na i-convict malakas at malaki ang base. Hindi natin sinasabing tanggalin ‘yung proseso ng conviction sa Senate. Kasama ‘yun. Irespeto natin ang Constitution, padaanan sa Senado, at ‘yung mga senador ang mag de-decide,” he said. 

(I think the call to convict has basis. We’re not saying that we will do away with the process. That’s part of it. Let’s respect the Constitution, let it go through the Senate, and let the senators decide.)

Duterte has repeatedly denied misusing the confidential funds lodged under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which she formerly headed.  

The fund misuse was one of the allegations cited in the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.

She said she would discuss the impeachment with her legal team.

Meanwhile, Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA) convenor Dr. Edelina Dela Paz called on the public to join their rally on February 25 at the People Power Monument in EDSA in commemoration of the People Power.

“Kung hindi tayo ang kikibo sino? Kung hindi tayo kikilos, sino? Kung hindi ngayon, kailangan pa? Tama na, sobra na, kumilos na. Magkaisa. Kaunlaran para sa lahat. Pondo sa serbisyo, hindi sa pulitiko,” she said.

She also supported the impeachment trial of Duterte and her conviction.—LDF, GMA Integrated News