Sen. Robin Padilla has broken his silence on Angel Locsin’s open letter criticizing his political views, saying he has no intention of engaging in a public exchange because he still considers the actress a friend.
In an interview that he later shared on his Facebook page, Padilla said he and his wife, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, chose to respond with understanding rather than confrontation after reading Locsin’s message.
“Si Angel Locsin, kaibigan ko ‘yan. Ang katotohanan, sa aming mag-asawa—kami ni Mariel—noong nabalitaan namin ‘yon, isa lang ang nasabi naming dalawa. ‘Baka may pinagdadaanan si Angel.’ Kami naman, wala. So siguro, intindihin na lang natin.”
The actor-turned-senator said they deliberately decided not to answer Locsin’s remarks publicly, adding that they remain open to having a private conversation with her if she wishes.
“Huwag na kaming sumagot. Huwag na kaming magsalita. Kung gusto niya kaming makausap, bukas naman ‘yung linya.”
Locsin’s open letter questioned what she described as changes in Padilla’s principles and also raised concerns about his silence when she was previously subjected to red-tagging. She urged the senator to use his platform responsibly and said she missed “the Robin Padilla who stood up for the oppressed.”
Addressing Locsin’s reference to his political beliefs, Padilla reiterated that he continues to identify with leftist ideology but distinguished it from armed rebellion.
“Noong panahong ‘yon, Gabriela siya. Sinasabi ko sa kanya na leftist ako. Kasi wala namang masama kung leftist ka. Ang masama ay kung may dala kang baril.”
Padilla also recalled that he and Locsin became close because of their shared interest in martial arts, saying they had openly discussed political beliefs even before he entered public office.
He further emphasized that, in his view, the country’s real battle should be against poverty rather than fellow Filipinos.
“Ang pakikibaka natin ngayon, kahirapan… hindi kapwa Pilipino. Kailangan nating makidigma sa kahirapan.”
Padilla also said he does not believe overthrowing the government to establish a new one is the solution to the country’s problems.
Locsin’s open letter received support from several personalities, including Anne Curtis, Enchong Dee, Bea Binene, and Marina Summers, while Padilla was publicly defended by his brother, Rommel Padilla.
As of writing, neither Locsin nor Padilla has issued any further public statements regarding the exchange.
