Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon expressed his gratitude to Senator Robin Padilla on Saturday following the senator’s public admission of a mix-up regarding statements about detained senators participating in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Ridon, a member of the House prosecution panel, welcomed the clarification provided by the senator.
“Maraming salamat Senator-judge Robinhood Padilla sa inyong pahayag,” Ridon said.
“Hangad namin na maitaguyod natin ang paglilitis na nakabatay sa katotohanan at katapatan sa ating mga tungkulin para sa bayan at para sa katarungan,” he said.
“Muli, tinitiyak namin ang lubos na paggalang sa Senate impeachment court at sa ating mga senator-judges,” he added.
Padilla issued his public apology via a social media post on Friday, clarifying that he had mistakenly named Ridon when he meant to refer to Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, who also serves on the House prosecution panel.
“Isang pampublikong paumanhin kay Congressman Terry Ridon at sa SMNI. Humihingi ako ng paumanhin kay Congressman Ridon,” Padilla said.
“Ang kanyang pangalan ang una kong naalala dahil sa pagkakaalam ko ay nagmula rin siya sa progresibong grupo o leftist movement na katulad ko,” he added. “Ako po ay humihingi ng pasensya.”
The senator explained that his original remarks were meant for Chua regarding comments on detained senator-judges joining the proceedings.
“Nagkaroon lamang ako ng kalituhan sa name recall… Taos-puso kong inaabot ang aking public apology sa aking comrade na si Congressman Ridon at maging sa pamunuan ng SMNI,” Padilla added.
Prior to the apology, Ridon had firmly denied Padilla’s claims, calling the allegations false, baseless, and emphasizing that he made no such statements.