Senator Robin Padilla has put an end to speculation about a possible vice presidential bid in the 2028 national elections.
In a Facebook post, Padilla stated unequivocally: “Wala akong balak na kumandidato na bise presidente.”
His clarification came after political commentator Ronald Llamas criticized his earlier remarks suggesting he was open to running for vice president if instructed by former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Llamas had said: “‘Yung gusto mong maging Vice President hindi dahil nais mo maglingkod, pero uutusan ka ng preso sa ICC.”
“He only confirmed accusations na wala siyang sariling utak.”
In response, Padilla defended his position, emphasizing party discipline within PDP-Laban, where Duterte serves as chairman.
“Ibahin mo ako Mr lamas, Kahit hindi ako pulitiko marunong akong sumunod sa partido, PDP laban chairman si Rodrigo Roa Duterte at ako ay dating Pangulo at ngayon ay miyembro ng partido, mahirap ba intindihin sa matalino mong utak na may alituntunin at patakaran ang partido political na sinusunod at tanging chairman lamang ang magdesisyon kung sino at ano ang tatakbuhin ng isang miyembro?”
He added that he does not step over party leadership out of ambition: “Hindi ako marunong managasa at manuwag ng pinuno at kasama ng dahil sa ambisyon.”
In a separate, longer message that began with “Assalamu alaikum,” Padilla apologized to the Muslim community and to his wife, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, saying he momentarily lost the spirit of Ramadan amid the heated exchange.
“Nais ko lang po iparating sa inyo sa mahusay na pananalita at liham na wala po akong balak na kumandidato na Bise Presidente. Huwag po ninyo ako itulad sa ibang pulitiko na nakikipagsagasaan dahil sa sariling mataas na ambisyon.”
He also stressed: “Kahit po akoy isang ex convict meron pa naman po akong delicadeza, Hindi ko po naging ugali ang managasa at manuwag ng pinuno at ng kasama ng dahil po sa ambisyon.”
The exchange unfolded shortly after Sara Duterte announced her intention to run for president in 2028. Padilla had earlier indicated openness to serving as vice president if Duterte asked him to, which drew backlash from critics.
Llamas later posted screenshots of Padilla’s earlier remarks before they were edited, continuing his critique on social media.
