Mariel Padilla says Robin will not run in 2028 elections: ‘They don’t deserve him’

Mariel Padilla said her husband, Sen. Robin Padilla, has decided not to seek another elective post in the 2028 elections, even as she expressed that sometimes she feels the public “doesn’t deserve” the actor-politician. 

Mariel made a recent guest appearance on Julius Babao’s “Unplugged,” where she was asked about her husband’s future political plans.

During the interview, she also proudly declared that their lifestyle has not changed since Robin entered the Senate. “Wala kaming bagong kotse simula nu’ng si Robin ay nanalo, wala kaming bagong bahay, wala kaming bagong kung anuman na katas ng pagiging senador ni Robin, so, ‘yun ang aking taas noong masasabi.”  

(We haven’t had a new car since Robin won, no new house, nothing new that came from his being a senator. I can proudly say that.) 

“I still believe that Robin is not a politician. I feel that the title for Robin is a public servant. Para sa akin ‘yun ah, siyempre sasabihin (ng iba), siyempre asawa ka, di ‘yan ang (sasabihin mo), ‘di sige basta ako ganu’n ang paniniwala ko,” she added. 

(For me, that’s what others will say, of course you’re the wife, that’s what you believe; that’s fine, it is my perspective.) 

Mariel admitted that there are moments when she feels her husband is unappreciated in public service, which makes her feel it’s best if he doesn’t run again. 

“Minsan napapaisip ako na tapusin na lang (termino bilang senador) or sometimes kapag may nasabi na out of context na parang I feel na they don’t deserve him, may mga ganu’n ako. And then again there were those days that when I see the indigenous people, when I see the Muslims, how they are so grateful to him, so parang paano sila umaasa [sa kaniya],” she said. 

(Sometimes I think that he should just finish (his term as a senator), or sometimes when something is said out of context, that makes me feel like they don’t deserve him. I have those days. And then again there were those days when I see the indigenous people, when I see the Muslims, how they are so grateful to him, so I think how they are counting on him.) 

Mariel also revealed that Robin has thought of resigning a few times when overwhelmed by the system and emphasized that her husband never had ambitions for a higher political position. 

“Robin has no ambition (mas mataas na posisyon). Robin, from day one, wants to help. Since the day I met him, ‘yun ang consistent kay Robin, sincere and talagang the heart to help; that’s actually why I fell in love with him,” she explained. 

Mariel stressed that her husband has already made up his mind about not running in the 2028 elections, especially for vice president. 

“To tell you the truth, ayaw niya ‘yung mga people na ‘yun; nate-turn off siya (sa mga nagsasabing tumakbo siyang vice president),” she said. “Nagdesisyon na siya, hindi na siya tatakbo. Ayaw na niya. He’s always saying that because nababagalan siya sa mga bagay-bagay.” 

(He doesn’t like those people urging him to run for vice president. He has decided on not running anymore. He doesn’t like it anymore. He always says that because he finds things in the government to be slow.) /ra