Pinilakang tabing yata ang Impeachment Court kay Robin; tulungan siyang sumikat sa Buwan ng Wika 

When the resilience of democratic institutions is put to the test; do we care? Or bobo na kung bobo? Mahina na kung mahina? Impeachment is one such instance. In this process, what hangs in the balance is not merely the fate of a single official, but the credibility of the constitutional system itself. Consequently, senators acting as judges are expected to demonstrate a keen understanding of the law, disciplined speech, and respect for due process. This is no ordinary plenary debate; it is a trial with profound implications for the government and for public trust.

Given this, it is hardly surprising that the public scrutinizes every word and action of the senator-judges. When a statement appears to contradict the fundamental principles of our legal system, it is not merely a lapse in rhetoric; it raises questions about whether an elected official is sufficiently prepared for and understands the duties of the office they hold.

One of the focal points of the discussion was the assertion that the prosecution should not be “one-sided.” At first glance, the call for fairness seems reasonable. However, in the realm of law, fairness does not mean the prosecution must defend the accused. The prosecution has the duty to prove the charges, while the defense presents arguments and evidence in favor of the accused. It is the court that ensures both sides are afforded equal opportunity. Balance lies in the process itself, not in a confusion of their respective roles.

This is not merely a matter of technicality; it is a cornerstone of due process. When an adjudicator is confused about such a fundamental concept, the public has reason to question the depth of their understanding regarding the responsibility entrusted to them.

Nevertheless, it would be unjust to apply this standard solely to Senator-judge Robin Padilla. Fairness must be the yardstick for all members of the impeachment court. Senators who appear to have made up their minds before hearing the entire case should likewise be subject to criticism. Those who use the hearings to grandstand rather than clarify legal issues should also face public scrutiny. An impeachment court must not become an arena for personal posturing or partisan conflict.

This is why many still look back to the examples set by former senators such as Jovito Salonga, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., and Jose W. Diokno. They are admired not because they were infallible, but because they demonstrated that power must be coupled with deep preparation, intellectual discipline, and steadfast principles. When they spoke, their arguments were expected to be the product of study rather than mere emotional outbursts or a desire for attention.

On the other hand, it is unfair to judge an official solely based on their previous profession. Being an actor, athlete, businessperson, teacher, or worker is no barrier to excellent public service. Democracy affords any qualified citizen the opportunity to be elected. But the mandate given by the people is not a license to remain unprepared. Anyone elected has an obligation to study the law, consult experts, and ensure that every public statement is well-founded.

There is another lesson that should not be overlooked: the quality of the Senate reflects the quality of our politics. For decades, popularity, name recall, and political machinery have repeatedly prevailed over a thorough assessment of a candidate’s competence. This is not the fault of any single voter; it is the result of a broader political culture where personality often overshadows competence and track record.

BUWAN NG WIKA NATIN, HINDI NI ROBIN

Hangad ba nating mapaghusay ng Senado ang tungkulin nito bilang Impeachment Court para mapanagot o mapawalang-sala ang dalawang beses nang na-impeach na si VP Sara Duterte? Kung gayon, hindi sapat ang magalit sa mga opisyal matapos natin silang iluklok noong 2022 at 2025, bagama’t marami rin talagang hindi na matiis ang sobrang baba ng kalidad nila kaya napapakutya na sa social media.

Higit kailanman, napakahalaga ng pagkamapanuri ng publiko. Maaaring sabihin ng DDS na sila iyon. Hindi naman papayag ang mga loyalista ni Marcos sa ganoon. Ang totoo: sarap na sarap ang non-UniTeam supporters sa mga nangyayari. Bakit nga naman hindi eh sila mismo sa UniTeam ang nagbabangayan, bagamat sobrang foul naman ang mga nauusal ni Sara samantalang napakapropesyonal naman ng dating ni Pangulong Marcos Jr.

Aral sa atin ito na mas maging mapag-isip nang kritikal bago maghalal; sa civil society naman, mas maging aktibo sa paglalantad ng kabulukan ng mga trapo at paglalahad at pagpo-promote ng mga alternatibo sa 2028.

Itanong: Sino ang may kakayahang magbalangkas ng batas? Hindi kung sino ang sikat. Umuunawa at nagtatanggol ba siya sa Konstitusyon o ng kapartido?

Makinig sa balitaktakan sa plenaryo, suriin ang nakahaing ebidensiya, makiisa sa panawagan ng pagbubukas sa halip na pagkukubli nito, at manindigan kahit salungat sa agos ng politika.

Hindi pinilakang tabing ang Senado na ginaganapan ng mga umaarte. Hindi rito pinakakawalan ang mga linyang madaling mag-viral, pero salat sa batayan. Hindi itinatanghal ang personal na layon. Ni walang oras dito para sa pagpapakitang-gilas.

May papel ang Senado sa batas at layong pangalagaang ang tiwala ng bayan.

Nawa’y makapag-iwan ang bawat senador ng pamana — pamanang wala sa dami ng litrato at video o palakpak. Sukatan dito ang kalidad ng pangangatwiran kahit hindi abogado at lalo na kung abogado, respeto sa mga indibidwal at institusyon.

Uunahin niya ang Saligang Batas sa sarili o sa kapartido.

Kapag nakabilang sa mga pamantayan natin ang mga ito, lalong magbubunga ang demokrasya. Kapag hindi, mataas lang ang pagtingin sa Senado subalit lalagapak ito sa kawalan ng tiwala ng mga Pinoy at, dahil doon, maaari na itong buwagin.

Tamang tama at magbu-Buwan ng Wika, bigyan natin ng pabor ang ating mga sarili sa okasyon sa Agosto. Mas suriin natin sa Filipino, pagsalitain natin ang mga tumutuntong sa tanghalan sa Filipino, at pairalin natin ang ating sariling wika sa pagpapaigting ng kamalayan ng mga tao sa pananagutan, katarungan, paglaban sa kahirapan at korupsyon.

KAWIKAAN AT KATALINUHAN

Pakiusap ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF): Dalasan ang Filipino, bawasan ang hindi pagkakaunawaan sa usaping legal na orihinal na dala ng mga banyagang mananakop.

Kung “one-sided” ang prosecution (tagausig) sa tilamsik ng diwa ni Senator-judge Robin, mas makaiiging iparating natin sa kanya ang mas maingay na panawagang manahimik muna siya gaya ng matagal nang bihasa sa Senado at sa impeachment proceedings, ang kasamahan niya sa industriyang si Senator-judge Lito Lapid. Kasi nga, “less talk, less mistakes.”

Sa kaso nga lang ng bibig ng asawa ni Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, more talk, more and more DDS.

Kaawaan. Kawikaan. Katalinuhan naman. Kahit kaunti. Ang mangonsulta bago umimik si Senator-judge Padilla ay sapat na. Ihabol muna natin ang pagtatama: May tag-isang panig ang prosecution o tagausig at ang depensa. Kayong senator-judges po ang hindi dapat maging one-sided. Your honors, please.