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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Of course!': Robin Padilla stands by 'one-sided' remark to prosecution

'Of course!': Robin Padilla stands by 'one-sided' remark to prosecution

Published Jul 27, 2026 12:48 pm  |  Updated Jul 27, 2026 01:01 pm
Senator Robin Padilla on Monday, July 27, stood by his view that prosecutors in the impeachment trial should not be "one-sided".
Senator Robinhood Padilla (SPPA Pool)
Senator Robinhood Padilla (SPPA Pool)
Asked if he still believes the prosecution should avoid being one-sided, Padilla replied in the affirmative.
"Of course. Di naman ako ang may imbento nun. Ang may imbento nun ay ang hustisya (Of course. I didn't come up with that. It is a principle established in the justice system)," he told reporters.
The senator has stated that lawyers, particularly prosecutors, are bound by their ethical duty to pursue justice rather than simply secure convictions.
"Malinaw naman yun sa code ng mga abogado na sila ay dapat minister of justice (It's clear in the lawyers' code that they are supposed to be ministers of justice)," Padilla said.
During the impeachment trial, Padilla told the prosecution not to be "one-sided" as he questioned the credibility of their witnesses. He criticized the House prosecution panel, particularly in the witnesses it had chosen to present before the Senate impeachment court.
Padilla appealed to the prosecution to avoid presenting witnesses whose credibility could be questioned, saying the impeachment court should not rely on individuals allegedly facing perjury complaints.
"The person on trial here was elected by 32 million Filipinos," Padilla said, urging the prosecution to be more cautious in selecting its witnesses.
He added that he had even filed a legislative proposal seeking stiffer penalties for perjury, arguing that those who repeatedly change their testimony should face harsher consequences.
House lead prosecutor Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro said that they were able to verify already that no cases are pending against the prosecution witnesses.
She also pointed out that even a criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify a witness unless the judgment is already final and the offense is punishable by more than one year and involves moral turpitude.
"Alam niyo po, napakaganda po ng inyong sagot. Sana hindi one-sided ang ating prosecution (You know, that was a very good answer. I just hope the prosecution isn't being one-sided)," Padilla said.

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Robin Padilla impeachment trial Vice President Sara Duterte
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