Image: Instagram/@robinhoodpadilla
President Rodrigo Duterte led the ceremonial signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on Monday, Aug. 6, at Malacañang Palace. Earlier he signed the bill into law on the last week of July. At the ceremony, which was held at the palace, were key figures such as Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief Murad Ebrahim and vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar.
Not to be missed was action star Robin Padilla, who has proven time and time again just how die-hard of a supporter he is of the President. Padilla has been present in many occasions involving the administration, popping up in Bong Go’s Senate hearing last February and visiting the President himself last April to discuss Marawi rehabilitation efforts. He was also invited to the President’s State of the Nation Address last July.
Padilla took to his Instagram on Aug. 6 to share pictures of him at Malacañang during the ceremonial signing of BOL. He first shared a video clip of the President speaking on the podium during the ceremony.
In the clip, Duterte can be heard saying, “Ten days ago I signed into law the Organic Law for Bangsomoro Region for Muslim Mindanao, which I hope will finally end the dictates of conflict that is rooted in the Bangsamoro’s right for self-determination and recognition of their unique identity.”
Padilla was all praise for the signing of the BOL.
“Isang malaking pagpapala ito para sa Inangbayan Pilipinas at sa Bangsamoro dahil nakalaya na tayo sa mga tanikalang ibinalot sa ating mga kamay at sa makadayuhang pag iisip na ibinaon sa ating mga utak ng mga Dayuhang Mananakop na dumaong sa CEBU 1565 hanggang makarating at sakopin din ang Kingdom of Maynila 1570,” Padilla waxed.
He extended his gratitude to Duterte, who he fondly calls “Mayor,” and hailed him as the Philippines’ first ever Moro President.
“Maraming maraming salamat Mayor Digong tunay po na kayo po ang kauna unahang Moro President ng Pilipinas!!” wrote Padilla. “You have released the Filipino people from psychological, physical and political bondage!”
“Mabuhay ang Rebolusyon!!” Padilla added.
Picture taking was also a necessary act during the occasion. He shared in another post made the same day that he made sure to have his picture taken in front of Juan Luna’s “The Blood Compact,”, 19th-century painting that portrays the 1565 Sandugo of Datu Sikatuna and Basque-Spanish governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
Padilla said that having their picture taken in front of the painting was for symbolic effect, since he can never remove from history what transpired between Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna.
“Hindi ko na mabubura sa kasaysayan ang sandugo ni Admiral Legazpi at ni Datu Sikatuna sa Bohol 1565 kayat pinilit ko na dito kami magpalarawan lahat sa harap ng painting na ito paglabas ng Kalayaan hall upang maging simbolo.”
Padilla posed in front of the picture with Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Senator Manny Pacquiao, among others.
“Ngayong araw na ito tinapos na natin ang sandugo sa Dayuhang Espanyol,” Padilla emoted. “Ika 6 ng Agosto 2018 sa ilalim ng Gobyerno ni Duterte ang bagong sandugo ay inukit sa ating palad at braso!”
He also called Juan Luna “pambihira” for his depiction of Datu Sikatuna, whose back was turned in the painting.
“Pambihira din ang gumuhit ng painting na ito nakatalikod yun LAHI natin,” said Padilla.
“Di bale tinalikuran naman talaga ni [Sikatuna] ang kanyang lahi at humarap sa interes ng Dayuhang Mananakop kaya [tama]lang na [nakatalikod] siya at NAKAHARAP kami at talikuran ang mga dayuhan.” /ra
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