Prominent actress and philanthropist Angel Locsin publicly challenged Senator Robin Padilla on Thursday, July 16, posting an open letter on social media that questioned the lawmaker’s recent political shifts and his commitment to public service.
Locsin’s statement followed a recent development in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, where Padilla revealed his past as a communist while questioning National Bureau of Investigation official Jeremy Lotoc.
Reflecting on their history as friends and former co-workers, Locsin noted how Padilla used to share stories about his time as a rebel.
“Nung mga panahong magkasama tayo, madalas mong ikuwento yung panahon na namundok ka at nag-armas para ipaglaban ang bayan. Sabi mo pa nga, dinadalaw ka ng ex mo sa bundok,” she wrote.
While she expressed appreciation for his newfound honesty, she questioned his silence when she faced “red-tagging” in 2020.
“Ang tanong ko lang, nasaan ka nung panahong nirered-tag ako kahit alam mong hindi totoo? Actually, kasama mo pa nga at kachikahan yung mga nangre-red-tag. Naghugas-kamay at pumikit sa katotohanan,” she asserted.
Locsin further critiqued Padilla’s priorities, specifically contrasting the expectations of those who voted for him as a voice for the Muslim community against his vocal defense of Apollo Quiboloy.
“Isa sa mga pinakamalaking dahilan kung bakit ka binoto ng maraming Pilipino ay dahil inasahan nilang magiging matapang kang boses para sa mga kapatid nating Muslim. Pero bakit parang mas ipinaglalaban mo pa si Quiboloy? Naniniwala ka ba talaga na siya ang ‘appointed son of God?’” she questioned.
The actress also expressed disappointment over Padilla’s recent stance on China, noting that it contradicts the patriotism she once admired.
“Isa ka sa pinaka-makabayang taong nakilala. Ikaw si Andres Bonifacio. Kaya nakakalungkot pag nakakabasa ako ng stand mo pagdating sa China. Hindi ito ang Robin Padilla na nakilala at hinangaan ko,” she continued.
Concluding her message, Locsin reminded the senator that their success is owed to the public, rather than to any single political figure.
“Kahit paano, alam kong halos pareho tayong landas na dinaanan. Galing sa hirap, nagtrababo ng maaga, tinangkilik at nakapagpasaya ng mga tao. Ang utang na loob natin ay sa ating Diyos at sa lahat ng Pilipino —hindi lamang sa isang tao,” she maintained.
She issued a final, direct plea to the senator to change his current trajectory.
“Tama na, Kuya. Gising na. Hindi pa huli ang lahat. @robinhoodpadilla,” she ended.
As of this report, Senator Padilla has not issued a public response to Locsin’s open letter.