By Kevin Pilapil
Former Senate President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said references to the late former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.’s alias had no place in the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Speaking on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “On Point” program, Drilon said such remarks “should find their place in the regular session.”
“Excuse me for reminding our colleagues, but here, they are not only senators, they are senator-judges,” he added.
The former Senate chief made the remarks after Sen. Robin Padilla invoked Aquino’s alias, “Marcial Bonifacio,” while questioning House prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia.
Padilla cited several historical figures and revolutionaries who used aliases before asking Divinagracia if she knew Marcial Bonifacio, Aquino’s moniker during his exile abroad.
Drilon said the senator’s reference was unrelated to the constitutional duty of a senator-judge.
“These statements are totally extraneous to their constitutional duty to try and decide an impeachment case,” he said.
Several aliases used by individuals who allegedly signed acknowledgment receipts linked to Duterte’s confidential funds have surfaced in the impeachment trial as the prosecution continues to present evidence under Article I.
Article I accuses the vice president of misusing, improperly liquidating, and systematically misappropriating P612.5 million in confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
Right after Padilla’s remarks, Sen. Bam Aquino said his uncle had, in fact, used an alias but had neither received confidential funds nor used his moniker to liquidate such funds.
Catch former Senate President Franklin Drilon’s full interview on BNC’s “On Point” with Pinky Webb.