Sen. Robinhood Padilla insisted he is “not a traitor,” saying he is only asserting Philippine sovereignty amid mounting controversy.
Padilla is facing an obstruction of justice complaint over his alleged involvement in the disappearance of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, who is reportedly wanted by the International Criminal Court for his role in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
“Hindi ako traydor sa Pilipinas. Ang tanong ko: sino ba talaga ang traydor? Ang tumitindig para sa kalayaan at soberanya ng kanyang bayan, o ang handang ipaubaya sa dayuhan ang paghusga at pagdidikta sa mga Pilipino?” Padilla said in a press statement.
“Hindi natin isusuko ang ating soberanya. Napakaraming Pilipino ang lumaban at nagsakripisyo para sa bansang ito. Ang pagtatanggol sa kalayaan ng Pilipinas ay hindi pagtataksil—ito ay tungkulin,” he added.
Dela Rosa has been out of the public eye for months before resurfacing in the Senate to cast a decisive vote that installed Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Padilla said the leadership change in the chamber had nothing to do with the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Kapag nakarating sa Senado ang impeachment, walang makakapigil diyan. Malinaw sa Konstitusyon at sa Rules ng Senado na kailangan kaming mag-convene bilang impeachment court,” he said.
He added that the Senate’s actions were meant to support the Blue Ribbon Committee investigation to determine the truth and ensure accountability.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said a Blue Ribbon subcommittee will be formed, to be led by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, with the flood control probe set to resume on June 4.
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