PASAY CITY, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla refuted allegations that he received money from China, responding to claims made by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV regarding the Tapang at Malasakit Foundation.
Speaking during a manifestation on the 34th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, Padilla requested fellow lawmakers not to generalize accusations directed at the organization, highlighting that the issue was not introduced within the trial proceedings.
“Wala po akong natanggap na pera kahit singko sa mga Intsik,” Padilla said.
The lawmaker cautioned against implicating other senators affiliated with the group, pointing out that the claims originated outside the impeachment court.
“Hinihingi ko po na huwag naman po kaming madamay lahat kasi kasama kami diyan. Hindi naman ’yan dito nabanggit sa korte. Binanggit po ’yan ni former senator Trillanes, hindi sa korte na ito,” he said.
Padilla noted that broad generalizations involving Tapang at Malasakit unfairly taint everyone connected to the foundation.
“So hilingin ko lang po sa mga kasama ko na pagka gineneralize po natin ’yan na Tapang at Malasakit, kasama po kami diyan,” he added.
The statement follows allegations raised by Trillanes on October 2, claiming that the foundation accepted millions of pesos from the Chinese Embassy—a charge that Vice President Duterte’s camp has firmly rejected.