(Mis)Understanding Robinhood Padilla

I’m sure by now, you have been following the general public’s reaction on how Senator Robinhood Padilla, yes, our very own Robin Padilla, has been reacting sharply to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate especially on the opposing side of the respondent. 

The latest statement if not tirade delivered by Senator Robinhood on the podium is his perception of the prosecution panel being biased towards the cases filed against the Vice President. 

“Sana, hindi one-sided ang ating prosekusyon…(I hope our prosecution isn’t one-sided…),” said Padilla during his recent interpellation on the impeachment trial. 

And while the actor-politician was explaining his views, he complained about the side remarks or the talking between Private Prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan and Lead House Prosecutor Gerville Luistro who were sitting in front of him. 

“Alam n’yo, bawal ang ginagawa nitong…(You know, what these people are doing are prohibited…),” called out Padilla which the two ladies defended. 

On the one-sidedness of the prosecution, Luistro explained: “This impeachment trial is adversarial. Maliwanag ‘yon. Kaya merong (That is clear that there is) prosecution, is to establish the case. Kaya may (There is) defense is to defend the innocence of the respondent, ‘no (right?).

So, it is very much anticipated that the prosecution is biased towards presenting the case, presenting the evidence, ‘no (right)? Siguro, mas nakapagtataka pag naging (It might even be surprising if the prosecution is) neutral ang prosecution at lalong nakapagtataka kung idi-defend namin ‘yong (and it is even more surprising if we defend the) respondent.” 

Kapunan nailed it: “I mean, if you are saying that to us, we’re saying it back to you.” 

Both Luistro and Kapunan said that the Senator-Judges like Robin should be neutral forces. 

Meanwhile, Atty. Lorna apologized to Padilla for her and Atty. Gerville’s actuations although the former clarified that it was just an instinctive reaction in litigation but not to mean disrespect. “Forgive na lang (Just),” quipped Kapunan. 

According to action star Vic Tiro, the so-called current Bruce Lee of the Philippines, his idol Robin must be ill-advised. Robin is the perfect example of a blind follower in a neo-feudal order. 

He is a vassal to his landlords, the Dutertes. 

It must have been the DU30’s presidential pardon on him that he is indebted to them. 

That is the problem and complexity of the Filipino culture of “utang na loob (debt of gratitude)” when applied to selfish motives. “Utang na loob” is a paramount virtue but if misplaced, misused and abused could endanger a lot of people. 

Robin was conditionally pardoned by ex-president Fidel Ramos from conviction of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition but his civil and political rights were still suspended until Digong unconditionally pardoned him thereby restoring his human rights including international travels. 

If Padilla is ill-advised, it is presumed that his advisers want him humiliated if not dead. Or if he is acting on his own, Robin, beware, you are digging your own political grave except perhaps if he is motivated by his idolatry of the Dutertes who would save him and together they suffer the same fate of perdition. 

If I knew Robinhood, he is thinking independently but this time he should be armed with humility and candor. May I also request the public to refrain from calling Binoe “bobo” for such a word implies varied contexts. 

Former ABS-CBN broadcaster Charie Villa is quite fair with him although she’s not a Robin fan. 

According to Charie: “Matalino itong si…Robin Padilla sa totoo lang. Inilantad nya ang isyu tungkol sa ‘neutrality’ na dapat manaig sa Senate Impeachment Court…nalito sya… Ang Senator-Judge dapat sa katotohanan at ang pulitika ay isantabi muna o dapat sila ang walang ‘side’ o pinapanigan…(He is intelligent. He exposed the issue about ‘neutrality’ which should govern the trial. The only thing is, he was confused…In essence, the Senator-Judges should be for the truth and they should put aside politics or not one-sided…).”