The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) has defended Senator Robin Padilla against criticism from Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong over the senator’s interpellations during the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a statement, PDP national spokesman Ferdinand Topacio described Adiong’s remarks telling Padilla to “stick to facts” as “extremely unseemly and off-tangent.”
Topacio said Adiong should not presume to know better than a senator-judge who is tasked with assessing the evidence and legal issues presented before the impeachment court.
“Mr. Adiong should not be so presumptuous as to pretend that he knows better than a Senator-Judge,” Topacio said.
He said Adiong could not know the thought process of a senator-judge seeking to reach an informed decision based on the legal facts established during the proceedings and viewed from a national perspective.
Instead, Topacio challenged Adiong to direct his criticism toward the prosecution team.
“Mr. Adiong should instead lecture his prosecutors, public and private, to stick to the facts and not indulge in over-acting, rhetoric and trial by publicity,” he said.
Topacio said such conduct is sub judice and, in his view, shows a weak case and a struggling presentation before the impeachment court.
He also criticized some senators for allegedly using offensive and unparliamentary language while questioning witnesses subpoenaed by the prosecution.
“Since Adiong is so inclined to feign concern about propriety, he should instead lecture some Senators who use offensive, unbecoming and unparliamentary language in browbeating and badgering witnesses subpoenaed by his own team,” Topacio said.
Topacio also cited prosecutor Renee Co’s statements involving the confidential funds issue, saying Adiong should address her remarks instead of Padilla.
He pointed to a series of “what if” statements made by Co while Adiong was criticizing Padilla for allegedly straying from the facts.
“Adiong should also lecture prosecutor Renee Co who, simultaneously with his self-righteous tirade regarding sticking to facts, fired off a series of ‘what if’ statements relating to the same issue of confidential funds,” Topacio said.
Topacio further turned his criticism on Adiong’s own conduct during the recent congressional Quad Committee hearings.
He said Adiong’s alleged use of insults and slurs during the hearings was inconsistent with his call for propriety in the impeachment proceedings.
“Adiong should instead lecture himself, as his conduct as a lawmaker during the recent QuadComm hearings leaves much to be desired,” Topacio said.#