Senators Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos Join VP Sara Duterte in Malaysia
ROBIN PADILLA – The action star-turned-Senator called Vice President Sara Duterte the “next president of the Philippines” during an event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The recent events regarding the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte surprised countless individuals. Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero took his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment court in Duterte’s trial on Monday. It was followed by the senators taking their oath as judges of the impeachment court the following day.
After taking their oath senator judges last Tuesday, the senators voted on a motion to return the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives. It did not mean dismissal or termination of the impeachment case but the following requirements were set:
- The House of Representatives certified to the non-violation of Article XI, Section 3, paragraph 5 of the Constitution, which provides that “No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within one year; include the circumstances on the filing of the first three impeachment complaints”; and
- The House of Representatives of the 20th Congress communicated to the Senate that it was willing and ready to pursue the impeachment complaint against the Vice President.
Prior to the proceedings in the Duterte impeachment trial, Sen. Robin Padilla has reiterated his loyalty to the Duterte family. Sen. Bato dela Rosa also want the impeachment case against the Vice President dismissed.
With the 18-5 voting outcome, the Senate impeachment court approved the motion to return the articles of impeachment against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives. Here are those who voted in the affirmative and the negative to the motion:
No senator abstained from the voting on the motion of Cayetano. Here are those who voted in the affirmative and the negative to the motion to return the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives:
YES
- Alan Peter Cayetano
- Pia Cayetano
- Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
- JV Ejercito
- Chiz Escudero
- Jinggoy Estrada
- Bong Go
- Lito Lapid
- Loren Legarda
- Imee Marcos
- Robin Padilla
- Bong Revilla
- Francis Tolentino
- Raffy Tulfo
- Joel Villanueva
- Cynthia Villar
- Mark Villar
- Juan Miguel Zubiri
NO
- Koko Pimentel
- Risa Hontiveros
- Sherwin Gatchalian
- Grace Poe
- Nancy Binay
Recently, Sen. Robin Padilla flew to Malaysia with Vice Pres. Sara Duterte and another senator-judge in the Vice President’s impeachment trial, Sen. Imee Marcos. The two (2) senators are seen as members of the so-called “Duterte Bloc” in the upper chamber alongside Senators Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go.
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte and Senators Robin Padilla and Imee Marcos joined the Philippine Independence Day celebration with the Filipino community abroad. Based on a post of ABS-CBN News, at the event, the way Sen. Padilla greeted the Vice President triggered chant among the audience.
Sen. Robin Padilla called Vice Pres. Sara Duterte the next president of the Philippines. It triggered the audience to chant, “Duterte”, which the actor-turned-Senator is glad to hear.
“Gusto ko muna kong mabigay pugay unang-una sa susunod na pangulo na si Inday Sara Duterte… Ang sarap! Kapag sinisagaw mo lalo akong tumatapang eh!” he said based on the post.
At the event, Vice Pres. Duterte said she remains standing amid the issues in her impeachment because she is allegedly fighting for what is right and true. However, on the other side, House Speaker Martin Romualdez finds the move of the Senate to return the articles of impeachment against Duterte “deeply concerning”.