Senator Robin Padilla chose not to publicly address a critical open letter from actress-philanthropist Angel Locsin, explaining that he and his wife believed she might have been going through personal difficulties at the time.
Locsin’s letter urged the actor-turned-politician to “wake up” and questioned his shifting principles following his public admission of past ties to the communist movement.
Locsin also raised concerns over why Padilla failed to defend her when she faced red-tagging allegations by government officials despite being aware of her political leanings.
Padilla revealed that he and his wife, TV host Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, decided to refrain from replying out of respect for their friendship.
“Si Angel Locsin, kaibigan ko ‘yan. Ang katotohanan ay sa aming dalawang mag-asawa, nung nabalitaan namin iyon, isa lang ang sinabi namin dalawa, Baka may pinagdadaanan si Angel. Kami naman wala, so siguro intindihin na lang natin,” Padilla said.
“’Wag na kaming sumagot o magsalita,” he added.
While opting for silence online, the lawmaker maintained that he is open to a private conversation.
“Kung gusto niya kaming makausap, bukas naman ang linya,” he said.
Reflecting on their history, Padilla recalled that their bond formed through a shared interest in martial arts.
He noted being transparent with Locsin about his leftist views when she was affiliated with the women’s rights group Gabriela, stressing that holding leftist principles is distinct from engaging in armed violence.
“Noong panahon na ‘yon, Gabriela siya eh. So sinasabi ko sa kanya na leftist ako. Kasi wala namang masama kung leftist ka,” Padilla said.
“Anong ikatatakot mo kung leftist ka? Ang masama kung ikaw ay may dalang baril. ‘Yun ang problema,” he added.
Addressing his former ties with the New People’s Army (NPA), Padilla clarified that while he retains his fundamental ideology, his current focus has shifted from fighting the state to fighting poverty through legal means.
“Ang pakikibaka natin ngayon, kahirapan, hindi kapwa Filipino. Kailangan nating makidigma sa kahirapan,” he said.
“Kasi kalokohan ‘yung may gobyerno na tayo, ibabagsak natin ‘yung gobyerno? Para magtayo tayo ng panibagong gobyerno?” Padilla said.
“Hindi ko iniiwan ang ideology,” he affirmed, reiterating his rejection of armed struggle.