Actress Nadia Montenegro, a member of Sen. Robin Padilla’s staff, has denied allegations that she smoked marijuana inside the Senate premises after her name appeared in an incident report filed by the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA).
The OSAA report, dated August 13, stated that security personnel received complaints of a “strong and unusual odor” resembling marijuana coming from the ladies’ comfort room near the senators’ extension offices.
Security officer Victor Patelo detailed two incidents in the report. The first occurred in the second week of July 2025 when a male staff member reported the smell on the 5th floor of the Senate building. Patelo said he inspected the area but did not find anyone smoking at the time.
The second incident took place on August 12. A male Senate employee—who claimed to be from the office of Senator Ping Lacson—reported that the odor was again present in the same restroom. He alleged that Montenegro was the only person in the area at the time.
Patelo said he approached Montenegro, who denied using marijuana. She admitted, however, to carrying a vape in her bag, which she suggested might have been the source of the scent.
“Ms. Montenegro denied smoking inside the ladies’ comfort room or using marijuana for that matter, but acknowledged possessing a vape in her bag, which she said could have produced the unusual scent,” the report read.
Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug Jr. confirmed that the OSAA submitted its findings to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and to Padilla’s office on August 14 for “information and appropriate action.”
Padilla’s chief of staff, Atty. Rudolf Philip Jurado, said they have directed the staff member in question to submit a written explanation within five days. Jurado did not name the employee but clarified that they acted only after media reports identified certain details.
He also stressed that it was inaccurate to say Padilla was summoned by the OSAA.
“I went to the OSAA to gather information for our own internal investigation,” Jurado explained, adding that Padilla’s staff had no recollection of the alleged incident.
The OSAA said the matter has been forwarded to Escudero for further action and that random drug testing for Senate employees will continue.
The controversy comes as Padilla remains a known proponent of medical cannabis. In 2022, he sponsored Senate Bill 2573, or the Cannabis Medicalization Act, which seeks to allow the use of capsule- and oil-based medical cannabis products—not the raw plant—for “debilitating medical conditions” of qualified patients.
“The State should, by way of exception, allow the use of cannabis for compassionate purposes to promote the health and well-being of citizens proven to be in dire need of such,” Padilla said at the time.
As of this writing, both Padilla and Montenegro have yet to issue official public statements on the incident.
