Senator-elect Robin Padilla has begun preparing for his new role as lawmaker as he looked forward to representing the 26 million Filipinos who made him number one in the May senatorial elections, as well as the rest of the population.
Padilla attended a briefing on the legislative process at the Senate on Tuesday after taking part in a training program at the Development Academy of the Philippines.
"Walang mahalaga sa lahat kundi itong mapag-aralan natin kung ano itong mataas na kapulungan," the actor and first time politician told reporters.
READ: What 26 Million Voters Saw in Robin Padilla, the Number One Senator
"Kapag gusto mong gawin, madali lang. Medyo naninibago lang ako kasi... summa cum laude ako sa cutting classes noong araw e. Iba na ngayon, ako na ngayon ang naghahanap ng gagawin," he added.
According to his lawyer, Padilla attended a briefing on economics and foreign policy, among other areas which would concern him as a lawmaker.
Padilla said the first bill that he would file as a senator is on federalism, one of his main campaign promises during the elections.
He is poised to chair the Senate constitutional amendments panel, which would put him at the forefront of efforts to amend the Constitution towards his proposed shift to a federal form of government.
"Mabigat yun kung hindi mo alam ang gagawin mo. Pero ako naman alam ko naman ang gagawin ko. Nandiyan naman ang mga abogado na magga-guide sa atin. Hindi naman ako nabibigatan," he said.
"Ang nabibigatan yung taumbayan kasi kailangan na nilang baguhin yung Saligang Batas," he added.
Padilla also expressed readiness to face his fellow lawmakers in a debate, except that he would like to do it in Filipino.
"Una hindi naman Amerikano ang mga kaharap ko para mag-English ako. Siguro kung Amerikano, well I'm willing to debate, pero mga Tagalog sila e," he said.
"Ako po ay nandidito upang irepresenta po kayo. Yan po ang aking role, yan po ang binigay ninyo sa aking mandato. Kung ano man po ang ginagawa ko dito e para sa ganang akin kundi para sa inyo," he added.
Padilla will formally assume as senator on June 30, along with other senatorial candidates who won in the May 9 elections.
EXPLAINERS:
Robin Padilla is Number One Senator, Here's Why the Topnotcher Matters
Why Raffy Tulfo Means Justice for the Filipino Everyman
How Budots, Ja-Ja-Ja-Jamby Jingled All the Way to Election Victory
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