Contrary to common sentiments aired online, Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla’s legal adviser said on Thursday that he himself was surprised to find that the senator is actually smart—in that he understands the position the masses have taken on politics.
In an interview on Balansyado, Atty, Jayvee Hinlo said “bashers” on social media may be targeting the senator due to his political alliance with the Dutertes.
He noted that Padilla would raise questions ordinary Filipinos are likely wondering about.
“I myself am surprised. Matalino po si Senator Robin, ‘yung nagba-bash sa kanya, I think it’s more of political rather than ‘yung actual context ng kanyang mga tanong, dahil po sa aking obserbasyon, ang katanungan ni Senator Robin ay ‘yun rin ang mga katanungan ng masang Pilipino,” he told the anchors.
The lawyer claimed Padilla is a “wide reader,” self-studies, and knew the history behind the term “Romanov.”
“He also studies by himself—as what I said, he’s a wide reader—‘yung history ng Romanov, he cited the history of Russia… Kahit ako, nagulat, may mga atake sa tanong na talagang Robin Padilla,” he continued.
Hinlo said Padilla raises concerns that not even a formally educated lawyer would think about, but that the masses would find significant. The only thing Padilla lacks, in his opinion, is a more extensive knowledge of Philippine law.
“Sa aking tingin, nakuha niya at nakukuha niya ang mga nasa isipan ng masang Pilipino. ‘Yung hindi naiisip ng mga abogado, naiisip ni Senator Robin,” he said.
“‘Yung kulang lang sa kanya ‘yung pormal na pag-aaral ng batas,” he added.
To netizens who believe the senator should refrain from speaking up during the impeachment trial because he is not familiar with the law, Hinlo said that if the framers of the Constitution intended to have impeachments dealt with solely by lawyers, the responsibility would have been given to the Supreme Court.
“Ang ating Konstitusyon, Article 11 No. 6, Section 3, nagsasabi na ‘yung Senado ‘yung magta-try at hear ng cases of impeachment… nakadisenyo ‘yun na Senado ‘yung magiging trial court. Kung gusto sana ng Konstitusyon na mga abogado o lahat ng judges ay abogado, dapat ibinigay ‘yan sa Korte Suprema,” he reasoned.
“Ang impeachment proceeding, hindi lang legal. Kasama diyan ‘yung politikal, at ‘yung ramdam ng taumbayan tungkol sa akusasyon laban sa kanilang na-elect na opisyal,” he explained.
The duty was delegated to senators because they represent the people, Hinlo said, having been elected by the majority.
“Our senators, they represent the people. At wala tayong magawa kung ‘yung gusto nilang iboto, hindi abogado,” he said.
Padilla has recently been on the receiving end of immense backlash over comments he has made during the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
On July 10, the senator shared an artificial intelligence- (AI) generated image with him, in a toga and cap, proudly holding a diploma in front of a building labelled the “University of Prison,” specifically, the “Department of Correctional Education.”
This came after he joked that he had taken up Criminology at UP, or the “University of Prison” as a callback to his previous imprisonment.
On July 14, Padilla confessed he is a communist while questioning National Bureau of Investigation - BARMM (NBI-BARMM) Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc.
“Hindi po ba dapat isipin natin ‘yung Romanov eh tungkol sa threat na pumapasok sa mga pamilya na namumuno dito sa ating bayan na lumalaban sa komunista. Komunista po ako ah. Gusto ko lamang pong alamin ninyo,” Padilla told Lotoc.
On July 22, the Senator called out the prosecution for being “one-sided.” He later clarified that his remark was an appeal for fairness.
