Actor star Robin Padilla criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s critics on his latest Facebook post.
Duterte was missing during his weekly public address on Wednesday, April 7, and during Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor). As the President received backlash from celebrities and Netizens, Malacañang released photos of Duterte alive and well. But it only led to further criticisms.
The recent absence of Duterte sparked several rumors regarding his health, dwindling.
The Government, in showing that the President was able to play golf and ride a motorcycle only angered the public more. Many celebrities and Netizens sought Duterte’s proof of work rather than his proof of life.
With many criticizing Duterte, Padilla defended the President through his Facebook post on Monday, April 12.
The actor star refuted the claims that the President suffered a stroke. He then answered the criticism coming from ABS-CBN broadcaster Karen Davila who thought that the videos and photos of Duterte will not do any good for him.
The actor invalidated Davila’s opinion stating that the President is a “man of action”. To strengthen his point, Padilla reasoned that the videos and photos were proof that Duterte is prepared to take on the problems of the country.
“Dahil ang Pangulo ng Pilipinas ay man of action. Ipinakita niya sa inyo po at a tao na he is mentally at physically fit to take on the pandemic crisis, [the] war against the Maoist Army, and the pressure on the standoff between superpowers in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea.
“Proof of good physical and mental health.”
However, Duterte appeared on Monday to address the nation. The President then explained that his absence was “planned.”
“Noong nawala ako ng ilang araw, talagang sinadya ko ‘yon, ganoon ako eh. Pagka kinakalkal mo ako lalo akong—’yung parang bata. Pagka lalo mo akong kinakantyawan eh mas lalo akong gagana,” Duterte explained.
Duterte also defended that he has the liberty to return to Davao City whenever he pleases. He clarified that his travel expenses were no shouldered by the Government.
“If I want to go home there, on a reasonable basis, I can because that’s my home. And if I want to be unreasonable about… ginagawa ko rin ‘yan. Tutal naman ang pamasahe ko hindi sa gobyerno so I go home just to be there and come back the following day.”
Duterte, before taking a two-week hiatus from the public eye, was seen on March 29 after he allowed private sectors to procure their vaccines.
