Sen. Robin Padilla on Sunday called on prosecutors to revisit their responsibilities under the law, saying their primary duty is to pursue justice rather than simply obtain convictions.
In a radio interview, Padilla said his experience as a former detainee exposed him to cases involving inmates whom he believes were wrongfully prosecuted.
“Galing ako sa kulungan. Nakita ko ang mga maling ginawa ng mga prosecutor. Napakaraming nakakulong sa Bilibid na walang kasalanan. Ang pagkukulang lang nila idiniin sila ng mga piskal,” Padilla said.
He argued that prosecutors should not use the law merely to secure convictions.
“Hindi ka nilagay diyan para idiin ang tao. Nilagay ka diyan para magbigay ng hustisya,” he said.
Padilla urged prosecutors to study the law and their constitutional role more closely.
“Mali iyan, dapat mag-aral uli sila,” he said.
The senator also defended remarks he made during the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, where he said the prosecution should not be “one-sided.”
Padilla maintained that he had not erred in making the statement and said prosecutors should remember the oath they took upon assuming office.
“Kailangan ‘yung mga prosecution basahin nila kung ano ‘yung sinumpaan nilang tungkulin. Sila ay minister of justice,” he said.
“Ikaw ay itinalaga diyan hindi para sa conviction, itinalaga ka diyan para sa justice. Ipasok lang nila ‘yung pinag-aralan nila at kanilang sinumpaan,” he added.
