Actress and political officer Nadia Montenegro has been placed on leave from her post at Senator Robin Padilla’s office as she faces an investigation over allegations that she smoked marijuana inside the Senate premises.
In a statement released on Friday, August 15, Padilla’s office clarified that Montenegro has not resigned, contrary to earlier reports.
“Not true. Not true. We have not received any resignation from Nadia… She’s still with us,” said Atty. Rudolf Philip Jurado, Padilla’s chief of staff, in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
Jurado explained that Montenegro remains a political officer in their office but was directed to take a leave of absence pending the results of the inquiry.
“On August 13, 2025, even before the investigation conducted by the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), the office commenced an initial internal investigation regarding media reports allegedly linking Ms. Nadia Montenegro. On the same day, she was directed to take a leave of absence, effective immediately,” the statement read.
Montenegro was also given five days—or until August 18—to submit a written explanation regarding two news articles from Abante and Bilyonaryo that mentioned her name. She was later given another five days, until August 19, to respond to the OSAA’s incident report.
“The Office shall take the appropriate action upon review and evaluation of her submissions,” the statement added.
According to an internal incident report from an OSAA staff member, a “distinct odor” was detected coming from the women’s comfort room near the senators’ extension offices. The report stated that Montenegro was the only person inside at the time. She reportedly denied the allegation but was found to have a vape in her bag.
Jurado confirmed that the “Nadia Montenegro” named in the OSAA report is indeed the same person on Padilla’s staff.
“We are still waiting for Nadia’s explanation. Kasi ano kami? Tied din kami. How can we act? We do not know kung ano yung kasabihin nya rin sa incident report as well as the two previous news articles. So we’re still waiting for that,” he said.
The chief of staff also voiced no objection to the OSAA’s plan to continue random drug testing for employees.
“Wala naman tayong magagawa roon, it’s a government policy… If you’re a government employee, as far as I know, you cannot refuse. You cannot refuse that,” Jurado noted.
He added that he has already advised Montenegro to undergo a drug test.
“Yes, from the very start, pinayuhan ko na rin siya. Pero I do not know. May lawyer yata siyang kausap,” Jurado said.
