Senator Robin Padilla said the Senate minority bloc’s role is to oppose measures, including the impeachment process, stressing that such a stance is part of parliamentary tradition and should not be seen as bias.
In an interview on Monday, May 4, Padilla emphasized that opposition is inherent in the minority’s function.
“Ang papel naman ng minority to oppose. Hindi lang impeachment. Lahat ng bagay dito, ang trabaho namin ay i-oppose,” he said.
Padilla appealed to the public not to misinterpret the bloc’s position.
“So sana, huwag kami pagbintangan. Kapag kami ay nago-oppose, huwag kami sabihan na kami ay bias. Trabaho po ng minority ‘yun,” he added.
When asked if the minority would oppose the convening of an impeachment court, Padilla said such a move would be “natural” under parliamentary norms.
“Eh natural lang ‘yun. Natural na iyon ang parlamentaryong kaugalian,” he said.
However, Alan Peter Cayetano said the matter is still under discussion among members of the minority bloc.
Other senators, including Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Imee Marcos, also said there has yet to be a formal consensus on the issue.
The Senate minority bloc includes Senators Rodante Marcoleta, Christopher Go, Francis Escudero, Ronald Dela Rosa, and Joel Villanueva.
The Senate has yet to decide on the next steps regarding the impeachment proceedings, as discussions continue within both majority and minority blocs.
