Senator Robin Padilla has publicly declared his support for Vice President Sara Duterte should she decide to run for president in 2028, emphasizing that his endorsement is based on her leadership qualities rather than personal connections to her family.
In a television interview on Wednesday, Padilla acknowledged his long-standing relationship with former President Rodrigo Duterte, dating back to the late 1990s. However, he stressed that his political stance is independent of personal friendships.
“Hindi kita susuportahan dahil kaibigan lang kita. Iba ang bayan. Pag pinag-usapan natin ang bayan, iba yun. Yung pagmamahal ko kay (Sara), number one yung paghanga ko sa kanya,” he said.
Padilla pointed to Duterte’s record as mayor of Davao City, particularly her management of the city’s financial obligations.
“Noong naupo yan, maraming utang ang Davao. Pag-upo niya, inalis niya lahat ng tao ni Digong. Gumawa siya ng sarili niyang tao at binayaran niya lahat ang utang ng Davao,” he explained.
The senator expressed confidence that Duterte’s leadership could help address the Philippines’ growing national debt, which he noted has reached ₱18.3 trillion.
He cited that the debt rose from ₱5.95 trillion under former President Benigno Aquino III to ₱12.79 trillion by the end of Rodrigo Duterte’s term in 2022.
Padilla described Duterte as a leader defined by discipline, decisiveness, and compassion—traits he believes are essential for national leadership.
“Yung tapang, yung malasakit niya, at yung galing niya,” he remarked.
While acknowledging that Duterte’s lineage plays a role in his support, Padilla maintained that it is secondary to her qualifications.
“Siyempre, pangalawa, anak siya ni (Rodrigo Duterte). Yun ang pangalawa,” he noted.
Reflecting on his early ties with the Duterte family, Padilla shared that his brother introduced him to Rodrigo Duterte in 1998 when he was mayor of Davao City. Their relationship deepened through shared advocacy for federalism.
“Very close sila ni Digong. Lumabas ako sa kulungan noong 1998 dinala kaagad niya ako sa Davao. Sabi niya, ‘Pakikilala ko sa’yo yung kaklase kong mayor ng Davao. Eto, pwedeng maging presidente ito,’” he recalled.
Padilla added that he had long believed in Rodrigo Duterte’s potential, claiming he was among the first to encourage him to run for president.
“Ako yung unang-unang nagsabi yung tumakbo siya ng president,” he said.