Senator Robin Padilla announced on Friday, September 18, that he will no longer seek public office, expressing a preference to step away from politics to focus on raising his young children and living a peaceful Islamic lifestyle.
The lawmaker shared his decision in a social media statement, where he also put forward six potential vice-presidential candidates to partner with Vice President Sara Duterte in the upcoming 2028 national elections.
“Wala na po akong planong tumakbo sa pulitika. Maliliit pa ang aking mga anak, at isang tahimik na buhay-Islami ang aking pinapangarap at minimithi,” Padilla said.
Among the names he suggested as potential running mates for Duterte were Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Imee Marcos, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, and former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo.
“Sila po ang nais ko na pagpilian ninyo upang maging katandem ni Inday Sara,” Padilla said.
Expressing gratitude to supporters who encouraged him to stay in public service, Padilla remarked that he believes he is ill-suited for political life.
“Maraming salamat po sa napakaraming kaibigan na nagtutulak sa aking pananatili sa pulitika, pero halata naman po na hindi ako nababagay sa mundong ito,” he said.
He concluded his announcement with the statement:
“Revolutionaries do not sit on thrones; they tear them down.”
This shift comes months after Padilla stated in February that he would consider a vice-presidential bid in 2028 if requested by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
At that time, he had also recommended several of the same lawmakers as viable running mates for Vice President Duterte, who formally confirmed her intent to run for president in February.