Senate Role Debate Heats Up as Robin Padilla Backs Win Gatchalian
ROBIN PADILLA – Senator Robin Padilla has weighed in on the ongoing discussion over who should lead the Senate impeachment trial, insisting that the Constitution points to Senate President Win Gatchalian.
Senator Robin Padilla has publicly expressed his support for Senate President Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian serving as the presiding officer in the upcoming Senate impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Padilla made the statement amid ongoing discussions regarding who should lead the impeachment proceedings once the Senate convenes as an impeachment court. His position comes after Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson revealed on June 17, 2026, that Senator Chiz Escudero was being considered as the presiding officer for the trial, reportedly because of his legal background as a lawyer.
However, during an interview with the media on Monday, June 22, 2026, Padilla emphasized that the matter should first be addressed by Gatchalian himself.
“Ang dapat nating tanungin ay kung papayag ba si SP Win. Kasi sa Konstitusyon, ang nakalagay doon, ang dapat mag-preside ay ang Senate President,” he said.
Padilla stressed that the Constitution clearly outlines the role of the Senate President in impeachment proceedings involving officials below the rank of the President.
“Siguro napakalaking isyu ‘yan para kay Win para siya ay palitan sa oras na iyon. Ang Konstitusyon.”
According to Padilla, the constitutional provision is straightforward when determining who should preside over impeachment trials.
“Malinaw ang nasa Konstitusyon na kapag ‘yong Presidente ay ‘yong Chief Justice. Kapag pababa ay ‘yong Senate President,” he said.
The senator also highlighted the responsibility of the Senate minority bloc to maintain balance with the majority, particularly on significant institutional matters such as the selection of the impeachment trial’s presiding officer.
Padilla further argued that members of the majority should be encouraging Gatchalian to assume the role rather than considering alternatives. He suggested that bypassing the Senate President for the position could diminish the office’s importance.
“Dapat. Dapat kasi alam mo baliktad. Dapat ‘yong majority, ini-encourage nila dapat si SP Win. Para sa akin, nade-degrade ‘yong tao, e,” he concluded.
As of this writing, no public response or statement has been issued by Padilla’s fellow senators from either the minority or majority blocs regarding his remarks.
The Senate Impeachment Court is expected to formally begin the impeachment trial against the Vice President on July 6, 2026.
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