Robinhood Ferdinand Cariño Padilla (Tagalog pronunciation:[kaˈɾiɲopaˈdilja]; born November 23, 1969)[2] is a Filipino actor, film director, and politician serving as senator of the Philippines. He is known as the "Bad Boy" of Philippine cinema for portraying anti-hero gangster roles in films such as Anak ni Baby Ama (1990), Grease Gun Gang (1992), Bad Boy (1990), and Bad Boy II (1992).[3] He has also been dubbed the "Prince of Action" in Philippine cinema.[4]
Padilla was elected to the Senate in the 2022 elections, earning the most number of votes in a senate election in Philippine history. He assumed office in the Senate on June 30, 2022, becoming the first Muslim senator of the Philippines since Santanina Rasul, who served in the Senate until 1995.[5][6]
Robinhood Cariño Padilla was born on November 23, 1969, in Daet, Camarines Norte to Casimero "Roy" Padilla Sr. (1926–1988) and actress Lolita Eva Cariño.[8] He has twelve siblings (eight brothers and four sisters): half-brothers Roberto (1947–2014), Roy Jr. (1948–),[9] Ronaldo (1962–1988),[10] Roger,[11] and Ricarte (1965–), brothers Randolf (d. 1980s),[12] Royette (1962–2021),[13] and Rommel (1965–), and sisters Rebecca and Carmela;[14] one of his siblings, BB Gandanghari (formerly Rustom), identifies as transgender.[15] In spite of media reports in the 2010s that Padilla is half-Ibaloi from his mother's side, Ibaloi representatives of the prominent Cariño clan of Benguet denied this claim, though they accepted Padilla as an "honorary cousin" out of goodwill and hospitality.[16]
Padilla's father was a film director and politician who served as assemblyman from 1984 to 1986 and as appointed governor of Camarines Norte from 1986 to 1988;[17] he was assassinated during his gubernatorial election campaign on January 17, 1988, with Robin's half-brother Roy Jr. running in his stead.[18] Robin's two other siblings, Randy and mayor-elect Ronaldo of Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte died before he was 18 years old.[10][12]
Padilla played his first major role in the 1985 comedy film Public Enemy No. 2: Maraming NumberTwo starring Eddie Garcia and Nida Blanca. In 1991, Padilla played the lead roles in the films Maging Sino Ka Man and Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum.[21] Padilla figured in a filming accident when an explosion scene for Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum burned the actor, leaving scars around his abdomen and arms.[22]
Padilla wrote and starred in the 1996 film Anak, Pagsubok Lamang ng Diyos which was shot almost entirely inside the New Bilibid Prison, where Padilla was incarcerated.[23][24] After his release, Padilla starred in the 1998 film Tulak ng Bibig, Kabig ng Dibdib and was again injured while filming after his stunt car flipped and landed on its roof.[21]
In 1999, Padilla crossed over to television programs through the ABS-CBN comedy show Pwedeng Pwede. In 2002, he reprised his role as Anghel in the film Hari ng Selda: Anak ni Baby Ama 2, a sequel to the 1990 film. The following year, he top-billed his first primetime action-drama series, Basta't Kasama Kita. In 2005, he did two films: the horror thriller Kulimlim and the comedy La Visa Loca. He won the award for Best Actor in the 2006 Gawad Urian Awards.
Padilla's association with ABS-CBN concluded in 2006. He subsequently transitioned to GMA Network, taking on a prominent role in the 2007 TV series Asian Treasures along with Angel Locsin. Additionally, Padilla inked a two-film deal with GMA Films, featuring in Till I Met You and the 2009 horror-suspense film Sundo in collaboration with Viva Films. Subsequently, Padilla chose not to renew his exclusive contract, allowing him the flexibility to work on films for various production outfits, including Star Cinema Productions, FLT Films, Millennium Cinema, and GMA Films. During the same period, he portrayed the titular characters in the television series Joaquin Bordado and Totoy Bato, both of which are based of comic book characters created by Carlo J. Caparas.
In 2010, Padilla returned to ABS-CBN. His projects with the network included the 2011 sitcom Toda Max. In 2011, Padilla directed his first TV commercial under his own production company, RCP Productions.[25]
Padilla has been an anti-malaria advocate since 2004. He became the spokesperson for the Department of Health's "Movement Against Malaria" campaign, appearing in infomercials to promote the use of mosquito nets.[27][28]
In 2007, Padilla established the Liwanag ng Kapayapaan Foundation, a pre-school for underprivileged Muslim children in Quezon City.[29] Padilla temporarily closed the school after it failed to acquire the necessary government permits to continue operations.[30] In September 2010, the school re-opened.[31]
Padilla joined the military and he became a reserve officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of captain.[38] He held the rank of reserve Lieutenant Colonel as of March 2024.[39] On July 30, 2020, he was elected by the Army's Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board as its new Strategic Communication Committee chairperson.[40] In December 2021, Padilla and other reservists running in the 2022 elections were relieved of their posts "to ensure the organization's non-partisanship" though the Army clarified this does not relieve them of being in the reserve force of the army.[41]
Political career
Padilla entered politics in 1995 when he ran for Vice Governor of Nueva Ecija as an Independent candidate. He was later endorsed by the Lakas–NUCD–UMDP and became the running-mate of its nominee for governor, Virginia Perez–Custodio. However, they both lost their bids. Padilla garnered 209,501 votes over 285,812 votes of the incumbent Vice Governor Oscar Tinio, who was running under NPC–BALANE.[1]
On October 8, 2021, Padilla filed his certificate of candidacy for senator under PDP–Laban for the 2022 election.[42] His platforms include pushing for anti-criminality measures, a crackdown on illegal drugs, the establishment of federalism and legislating community policing.[43] Padilla stated that he is also against giving tax incentives for foreign investors and seeks to increase the minimum income of Filipino families to encourage Overseas Filipino Workers to go back home. He also said he would be hiring lawyers to help him draft laws if he win.[44]
Padilla won a seat in the Senate, topping the vote count[5] and breaking the record for most votes cast during a senate election in the history of the Philippines.[45] He believes it was his platform on federalism and not solely his popularity as an actor that led to his win.[46] Senator Win Gatchalian, who is a reelectionist and in the UniTeam Alliance coalition like Padilla, has vouched for Padilla as a representative for Muslims in the Senate.[47] Following his win, Padilla announced that he would hire lawyer Salvador Panelo to help him fulfill his role as senator.[48]
In the 19th Congress, he voted to elect Migz Zubiri as Senate President, thus becoming part of the majority bloc. He, however, abstained in the election of Joel Villanueva as Senate Majority Leader.[49] Padilla is the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs.
Padilla took his oath as president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) party, according to a press release from his office dated July 24, 2024.[7]
Legislative output
Padilla filed in the first week of July his first 10 bills, including the Equal Use of Languages Act; Suspension of Excise Tax on certain fuel products; Medical Cannabis Compassionate Access Act; Amending the Rice Tariffication Law; Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers; Equality and Non-discrimination Act; Civil Service Eligibility for casual, contractual govt employees who rendered at least 5 years of service; Regionalization of Bilibid Prisons; Mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps Act; and Divorce Act of the Philippines.[50]
He has also expressed interest in filing measures that will benefit the environment, after disclosing in a July 6, 2022 Facebook Live post that he is meeting with Sen. Loren Legarda on the matter.[51]
In the second week of July, Padilla filed a second batch of priority bills and resolutions that touched on federalism, the creation of the Congress-Parliamentary Bangsamoro Forum, a resolution on the appointment of the Marawi Compensation Board, a resolution on joint exploration of the West Philippine Sea, the Local Development Fund Act, a Nursing Home for Senior Citizens Act, Civil Unions Act, the Eddie Garcia Act, inclusion of Philippine History in high school curriculum, and Unsung Heroes Day.[52]
Padilla, who chairs the Senate committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs, pushed for an investigation into why Aetas in Central Luzon have not been able to get some ₱19 million due them from an agreement signed in 2007.[53]
Legalizing medical cannabis
Padilla has filed a bill to legalize medicalcannabis in the Philippines and has proposed Israel's policy as its model.[54][55][56] Padilla, however, clarified that he still considers cannabis or marijuana as a dangerous drug. The Medical Cannabis Party however argued that the penalties proposed in the bill makes cannabis more inaccessible and exacerbate the stigma against cannabis use.[57]
Charter change
Padilla started holding hearings on amendments to the 1987 Constitution, in his capacity as chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes. He has indicated he will hold hearings in the provinces, to make sure all Filipinos understand the issue and have a say on the matter.[58] He is focusing on changing the Charter's economic provisions.[59]
Fake news
Padilla sought an inter-agency effort in fighting fake news, and sought a probe into the matter. This was contained in his Senate Resolution 191, which he filed in September. He is poised to lead the probe as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.[60]
He also called on other institutions like the news industry and educational institutions to do their part against fake news.
Mandatory ROTC
The re-imposition of mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) training has been one of Padilla's advocacy when he ran for Senator. Due to the ROTC bill still pending on Congress, Padilla in March 2024 launched his own Basic Citizen Military Training which will have volunteers which will serve the needs of the Senate.[61]
Muslim rights
Padilla filed Senate Bill 1273 seeking more cemeteries for Muslims and indigenous people (IPs) to ensure that proper burial in accordance with their customs and tradition will be observed.[62]
Rights of entertainment industry workers
Padilla filed Senate Bill 450, the proposed "Eddie Garcia Law," which outlined safety measures and other benefits for workers in the Philippine entertainment industry to protect the welfare of actors and workers in the industry.[63]
Same-sex civil union
Padilla filed Senate Bill 449 seeking to give same-sex couples the same rights enjoyed by married straight couples under the law, saying it is 'high time" for the Philippines to do so. The bill includes provisions upholding the rights of such couples to a civil union. "Providing equal rights and privileges for same-sex couples will in no way diminish or trample on the rights granted to married couples," Padilla said.[64]
The bill has the support of celebrity couple Ice Seguerra and Liza Dino.[65] The Marawi Grand Imam, however withdrew his support for Padilla over the bill which he views as immoral and incompatible with Islam.[66]
Benefits for Barangay Health Workers
Padilla filed Senate Bill 232, seeking to provide additional compensation and benefits to barangay health workers. The bill, dubbed An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, include 20% discount on items under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, transportation allowance of at least ₱1,000 per month, and a one-time retirement cash incentive of ₱100,000 for accredited BHWs who have served for at least 15 years.[67]
Funding for local government units' projects
Padilla filed Senate Bill 447 assuring funding for priority development projects of local government units. Padilla said this measure aims to provide an equitable distribution of wealth to LGUs to foster development with the end goal of bridging the gap between the revenue expenditure mandates of the LGC and the General Appropriations Act.[68]
The bill is similar to the Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) bill of former Senator Panfilo Lacson. Padilla said he shares Lacson's drive to promote the principle of devolution, as well as for budget reform.[68]
Anti-sexual harassment
Padilla spoke out against sexual harassment victimizing Filipinos, including overseas Filipino workers and students.
The actor-turned-legislator pushed for heavier penalties against ambassadors and diplomatic officials involved in sexual harassment cases against Filipinos abroad, after Department of Migrant Workers secretary Susan Ople cited one such case in Brunei in 2012.[69]
Meanwhile, Padilla called on parents and students to courageously report sexual harassment in schools, saying this will haunt the students for life.[70]
South China Sea dispute
On May 15, 2021, Padilla went to the disputed Thitu Island (Pagasa Island) to visit the Filipino settlement and military outpost. In a statement, he praised the soldiers who keep enforcing the country's sovereignty claims in the South China Sea during a courtesy call from members of the Joint Task Unit in Pag-asa Island.[71]
On September 5, 2022, Padilla delivered a privilege speech stressing anew the need for joint exploration between the Philippines and China in the contestedSouth China Sea. He said going back to the negotiating table is a must for the country's interest.[72]
In 2023, Padilla would raise skepticism if the United States would fulfill its obligations with its treaty ally Philippines in case that conflict escalates in the South China Sea. He has insisted that the Philippine military can manage on its own.[73]
Padilla believes that the Senate hearing on the alleged abuses by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and its leader and founder Apollo Quiboloy is unnecessary.[74] He disputes the hearings are conducted in aid of legislation and insists that the allegations raised in the Senate could only be dealt in the country's legal system.[75] He attended at least one meeting where he vouched for Quiboloy's character and urged the victims who testified anonymously to not conceal their identities.[76]
Padilla believes that the church leader is both a "hero" who fought against the Communist armed conflict led by the New People's Army (NPA) while also tagging him as a victim of the rebel group.[75]
Padilla however explicitly denied "defending" Quiboloy insisting that he is only upholding "democracy" and is moving to ensure that due process is upheld in dealing with allegations hurled against the pastor and his church.[77]
2024 Senate probe into complaints of sexual harassment and abuse in the media industry
On August 15, 2024, Padilla asked Atty. Lorna Pantajo-Kapunan, a human rights lawyer, what husbands should do if they are "in the mood" and their wives are not.[78] Some of his remarks, such as husbands having 'sexual rights' over their wives, earned widespread backlash.[79][80] Following this, Padilla apologized, describing his remarks as "hypothetical".[81]
Personal life
His siblings BB, Rommel, and Royette, are actors. His half-brother Casimero succeeded in their father's political endeavors, serving as a union leader, a congressman, and a three-term governor of Camarines Norte.[82]
In 1994, Padilla was convicted for illegal possession of firearms and sentenced to a maximum of eight years in jail.[83] In 1998, he was pardoned by President Fidel Ramos.[84]
Formerly a Jehovah's Witness, Padilla converted to Islam, adopted the name Abdul Aziz, and married his first wife Liezl Sicangco in a Muslim ceremony while he was still serving his prison sentence.[85] He has four children with Sicangco, including actresses Queenie (who left showbiz) and Kylie Padilla.[86]
In November 2009, Padilla announced that he and Sicangco had divorced in 2007.[87] On August 19, 2010, Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez were married at the Taj Mahal in India.[88] Padilla and Rodriguez had met during his stint as a host of Wowowee.[89] Rodriguez gave birth to their first daughter in November 2016 in Delaware,[90] and a second daughter in November 2019.[91] Despite their marriage, Rodriguez remained a Roman Catholic.[92][93] In 2017, Padilla became a grandfather when his daughters Queenie and Kylie gave birth.[94][95]
In 2014, Padilla campaigned for presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte and in May 2016 filed a libel case against a Twitter user for calling him an "ex-convict".[96] In November 2016, Padilla was granted an absolute pardon from President Rodrigo Duterte to endow him full civil and political rights.[97]
In July 2021, Padilla faced backlash following his comments on his daughter's divorce, stating that men cheating is part of the natural course of life.[98][99]
^ abLibo-on, Eddie (November 8, 1989). "Robin plays his real brother". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. p. 16. Retrieved January 20, 2025. 'Carnap King' is actually the true story of the late Randolf Padilla who at 26 established the reputation of a carnapping lord in the early 1980's.
^De Leon, Mitch; Jimenez, Dessa M.; and Reyes, Shiela G. (June 1, 2010). Robin's derring-doArchived July 28, 2013, at the Wayback MachineABS-CBN News retrieved February 20, 2012
^Soriano, Antero (January 19, 1988). "Local polls generally peaceful, says de Villa". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. p. 9. Retrieved January 20, 2025. A bullet pierced the heart of Padilla while another shot hit the public address system operator.
^ abLo, Ricky (April 17, 2009). "Robin the educator". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
^Jimenez, Josephus B. (June 2, 2022). "The Robin Padilla phenomenon". The Freeman. Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved January 20, 2025. He [Robin Padilla] got the highest number of votes among all history's senatorial topnotchers.
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