Senator Robin Padilla admitted he felt “depressed” and broke down in tears after learning that Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go were named “co-perpetrators” alongside former President Rodrigo Duterte in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case over the administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Padilla, who recently faced criticism for calling today’s youth “weak” and “crybabies,” said the news gave him a personal understanding of depression.
“Ako po ay naiyak dito. Ako po ay na-depress dito.”
He shared that he was deeply shaken upon reading the report.
“Kanina pagkabasa ko (ng balita), naiyak po talaga ako kasi papaano na ito? Sino na po ang kasama ko sa Senado? Kapag itong dalawang ito nabigyan pa ng warrant of arrest, ako na lang mag-isa? Hindi po ba depressing ‘yan?”
The ICC’s less-redacted Document Containing the Charges identified dela Rosa and Go as among Duterte’s alleged co-perpetrators in implementing the drug war. Padilla also questioned the prospect of Filipino officials facing trial abroad.
“Talaga po bang ibibigay natin ang ating mga kababayan sa mga dayuhan? Ako po’y nakikiusap sa ating gobyerno na sana po matigil na po itong ganito na tayo ay… hini-hearing a ibang bansa.”
Emphasizing national sovereignty, he urged leaders to set aside politics.
“Sana po maging makatotohanan po tayo sa panahon ngayon. Huwag po tayo masyado maging politikal. Ito po ay soberanya ng ating bansa.”
Padilla said the Senate minority bloc may convene to discuss the development.
He also expressed confidence that Senate President Vicente Sotto III would protect dela Rosa and Go, recalling Sotto’s 2018 decision not to allow the arrest of former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV within Senate premises.