Robin Padilla Breaks Silence on Angel Locsin and Chooses Compassion Over Conflict
ROBIN PADILLA – Rather than escalating the controversy, Robin Padilla surprised many by saying he believes Angel Locsin may simply be going through a difficult time.
Robin Padilla has finally broken his silence regarding actress Angel Locsin’s recent criticism, choosing to respond with understanding rather than confrontation. Speaking during an interview on the DZAR 1026 News program Vox Populi Boses ng Bayan with the Banateros, the senator emphasized that despite the public exchange, he still considers Angel a friend.
“SI Angel Locsin, kaibigan ko ‘yan,” Robin said when asked about the actress’s social media post. Instead of taking offense, he explained that he and his wife, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, believed Angel might simply be going through a difficult time.
The controversy began after Angel questioned Robin on July 16 following his statement during an impeachment trial in the Senate, where he declared himself a communist. The actress also criticized his silence over the red-tagging issue she previously faced, his defense of Apollo Quiboloy, and his position regarding China. She concluded her message with the appeal, “Tama na, Kuya. Gising na. Hindi pa huli ang lahat.”
Addressing the issue, Robin shared how he and his wife reacted privately.
“Ang katotohanan sa aming mag-asawa (Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla) nu’ng nabalitaan namin ‘yun isa lang ang sinabi naming dalawa, ‘Ah baka may pinagdadaanan si Angel, e, kami naman wala, so, siguro intindihin na lang namin ‘wag na kaming sumagot, ‘wag na kaming magsalita. Kung gusto niya kaming makausap, bukas naman ‘yung linya.”
The senator said this was his first public statement regarding Angel’s remarks. During the interview, he was also asked about Angel’s claim that he had once admitted being affiliated with communist groups and whether the actress had ever been with him in the mountains during that period.
Laughing at the question, Robin recounted his experience in 1995 after a warrant of arrest was issued against him. He narrated how he fled to Camarines Norte and eventually sought refuge in the mountains, where he encountered members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the MASA movement.
He described spending about a month there, undergoing political orientation before eventually deciding to leave after questioning some of the practices he witnessed, particularly the collection of revolutionary taxes from poor farmers. Robin explained that while he grew up in a socialist household because of his father, labor leader Roy Padilla Sr., he eventually concluded that the ideal of complete equality was admirable but unrealistic.
The senator also dismissed claims that he lacked knowledge about communism, saying he had studied in Cuba and even met Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison. However, he stressed that he never embraced armed struggle.
“Hindi po, Cuba po ako nag-aral. Nagpunta pa ako ro’n at nilalabas pa ‘yung picture namin ni Joma (Jose Maria Sison-founder ng Communist Party of the Philippines). Pinag-aralan ko talaga pero hindi ‘yung armado.
“Never kong tinanggap na kelangan nating mag-armas kasi tapos na si Bonifacio (Andres) nakuha na natin ‘yung freedom. Ang pakikibaka natin ngayon ‘yung kahirapan hindi kapwa Pilipino. Kailangan nating makidigma hind isa kahirapan, hind isa kapwa Pilipino,” said Binoe.
After explaining his side and expressing that communication remains open should Angel wish to speak with him, Robin ended the discussion, bringing the issue to a close without further addressing the actress.
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Nag-Cuba ka, pero ang tanong — nasaan ka nung kailangan ka ni Angel?