Senator Robin Padilla on Monday arrived at the Supreme Court (SC) carrying a suitcase containing over 300,000 signatures backing a petition challenging the legality of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.
The signatures were submitted as part of a campaign urging the high court to promptly resolve the habeas corpus petition regarding Duterte’s detention and his transfer to the International Criminal Court.
“We are here again to bring to our highest court the signatures we have collected from our fellow citizens… we are bringing 304,000 signatures,” he said.
On the same day, Padilla also publicly expressed frustration at those questioning former Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon’s support for Vice President Sara Duterte in the upcoming election.
He referenced a historical photo showing former Presidents Duterte and Corazon Aquino to defend Guanzon, arguing that PDP-Laban historically aligned with the Aquino administration.
According to the lawmaker, PDP-Laban played a key role in Aquino’s 1986 snap election victory, which followed the EDSA People Power Revolution.
Padilla added that Aquino appointed Duterte as officer-in-charge vice mayor of Davao City on March 20, 1986, as part of nationwide OIC appointments.
“People seem to have a hard time understanding. Do some research instead of just spouting nonsense,” he said.
