It's the minority bloc's job to oppose. 

For Sen. Robinhood Padilla, the role of the minority bloc is to oppose not just the impeachment but any other matter.

In an interview on Monday, May 4, he stressed that such a stance should not be misconstrued as bias.

Padilla underscored that opposition is inherent in the minority’s function under parliamentary procedure.

“Ang papel naman ng minority to oppose. Hindi lang impeachment. Lahat ng bagay dito, ang trabaho namin ay i-oppose (The role of the minority is to oppose. Not just impeachment. In everything here, our job is to oppose),” he said.

Padilla appealed to the public not to interpret opposition from the minority bloc as partiality, emphasizing that it is part of democratic practice.

“So sana, huwag kami pagbintangan. Kapag kami ay nago-oppose, huwag kami sabihan na kami ay bias. Trabaho po ng minority ‘yun (So we hope we won’t be accused. When we oppose, don’t say we are biased. That is the job of the minority),” he added.

Asked directly whether the minority would oppose the convening of an impeachment court, Padilla responded that such action would be “natural” given their role.

“Eh natural lang ‘yun. Natural na iyon ang parlamentaryong kaugalian (That is only natural. It is naturally part of parliamentary tradition),” he said.

Padilla reiterated that opposition from the minority should be understood within the framework of parliamentary norms and democratic processes.

However, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the matter is still up for discussion. Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Imee Marcos said that they have yet to discuss the matter.

Other members of the minority include Senators Rodante Marcoleta, Christopher “Bong” Go, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Joel Villanueva.