Robin relinquishes PDP-Laban post

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robinhood Padilla yesterday relinquished his executive vice president post in the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) supposedly to focus on his Senate duties.

But Padilla said he remains a member of the party, his vehicle in topping last year’s senatorial race.

“As an incumbent senator with a heavy mandate, I am aware that other duties – including my position as EVP of the party – must give way to my ability to fulfill my sworn duty to the people,” said Padilla, who chairs the Senate committee on constitutional amendments.

Padilla let go of his post days after conceding that his committee report on easing the restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution through legislation was dead in the Senate, after failing to get the support of colleagues besides his fellow PDP-Laban senators.

At a press conference yesterday, Padilla’s partymate Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said he did not want to speculate if Padilla’s resignation was related to his failed efforts to get support for Charter change.

“That’s his prerogative. We respect his decision,” Dela Rosa said, adding that he did not think Padilla would eventually change political parties.