Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla revealed that her husband, Robin Padilla, has decided not to seek any elective post in the 2028 national elections, saying the actor-turned-senator has no ambition to pursue higher office.
Mariel shared this during her guest appearance on ‘Unplugged’, where she spoke candidly about her husband’s experience as a public servant and the challenges he faces amid public criticism.
She admitted that there are moments when she feels Robin’s efforts are not fully appreciated by the public, especially when his statements are taken out of context.
“Lalo na when they take out of context what he says and they say stuff about him, parang I feel na they don’t deserve him, may mga ganu’n ako,” Mariel said. “And then again there were those days that when I see the indigenous people, when I see the Muslims, how they are so grateful to him… so parang paano sila umaasa [sa kanya].”
Despite the criticism, Mariel stressed that Robin never entered politics out of personal ambition.
“Robin, from day one, wants to help. Since the day I met him, ’yun ang consistent kay Robin—sincere and talagang the heart to help. That’s actually why I fell in love with him,” she said.
Mariel also revealed that her husband has, on several occasions, considered stepping down from his post, adding that he has firmly decided not to run in 2028—particularly for the vice presidency, a position some supporters have encouraged him to pursue.
“Ayaw na niya. He’s always saying that because nababagalan siya sa mga bagay-bagay,” she shared. “To tell you the truth, ayaw niya ’yung mga people na ’yun… nate-turn off siya (sa mga nagsasabing tumakbo siyang vice president)… decided na siya na hindi (na tatakbo).”
She further emphasized that their family’s lifestyle has remained simple despite Robin’s position in the Senate.
“Wala kaming bagong kotse simula nu’ng si Robin ay nanalo. Wala kaming bagong bahay, wala kaming bagong kung anuman na katas ng pagiging senador ni Robin, so, ’yun ang aking taas-noong masasabi,” Mariel said.
For Mariel, Robin is not a traditional politician but a genuine public servant.
“Para sa akin ’yun ah. Siyempre sasabihin (ng iba), siyempre asawa ka, ’di ’yan ang sasabihin mo. ’Di sige, basta ako ganu’n ang paniniwala ko,” she added.
Robin Padilla, a former action star who topped the senatorial race in 2022, is currently serving his first term in the Senate. As of this writing, he has not personally issued a public statement regarding his political plans beyond 2028.
