Senator Robin Padilla brushed off fresh criticism surrounding his questioning during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, asserting that he minds the online hostility little as long as his critics can put food on the table.
In a message to reporters on Thursday, August 27, Padilla suggested that the backlash directed at him stemmed from paid trolls rather than genuine social media users.
“Bashing, netizens? You mean trolls!” he said.
“As long as they have food to put in their mouths, I’m happy for them,” he added.
The lawmaker sparked renewed public flak after using Philippine historical figures—and reciting a lengthy series of revolutionary pseudonyms such as “Dimasalang,” “Siling Labuyo,” “Maypagasa,” “Magdalo,” “Vibora,” and “Lakambini”—to justify the presence of fictitious names in documents tied to Duterte’s confidential funds.
Padilla grilled prosecution panel member Atty. Mae Divinagracia on whether she was aware of Filipinos using pseudonyms during periods of armed conflict, arguing that false names were historically essential to safeguard individuals in underground resistance movements.
Additionally, Padilla voiced support for Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s three-part directive concerning trial impartiality and decorum. However, the senator noted he wished Escudero had publicly identified those who repeatedly breach the sub judice rule.