Law expert and 1-Sambayan convenor Atty. Howard Calleja has advised Senator Robinhood Padilla to review the law and relevant cases as a sign of respect for his current position as a lawmaker. Calleja made the statement following the senator's appeal to the Senate impeachment court to allow suspended Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada to observe the ongoing impeachment trial.
Background on the suspended senators
Both Marcoleta and Estrada are currently facing plunder cases. Estrada is detained in Payatas, while Marcoleta is confined at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital. According to Calleja, Padilla should first study what the law stipulates instead of merely proposing positions or giving populist recommendations.
Calleja's legal argument
It is easy to recommend, but Padilla must understand that both senators are suspended due to their pending plunder cases. Calleja emphasized that suspended senators should not be allowed to participate in proceedings or even observe and express their observations during the trial. He cited past instances where suspended senators were not permitted to participate in proceedings, including former Senators Leila De Lima, Antonio Trillanes, Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, and others.
No exceptions
The veteran lawyer stressed that there should be no exemptions, regardless of who the sitting or suspended senator is. The rules and laws should not be changed just to accommodate Estrada and Marcoleta.
