
Actress-host Mariel Padilla has addressed renewed online criticism over a resurfaced 2022 video in which she expressed support for her husband, Senator Robin Padilla, during his Senate bid.
The old clip recently circulated on social media, drawing reactions from netizens after Mariel stated that Robin was able to contribute to the passage of a law while incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prison.
In the video, Mariel said, "Si Robin noong nasa bilibid, nakapagpasa ng batas. Okay, without even being a senator."
The statement prompted criticism online, with some questioning the accuracy of her remarks.
To clarify her comments, Mariel shared a new video on Facebook explaining the context behind the statement and what she intended to convey at the time.
According to Mariel, one of the criticisms Robin faced during the campaign was that he lacked the qualifications to become a senator because he had not finished his education.
"Noong panahon na iyon noong tumatakbo siya, sabi, 'Si Robin Padilla hindi qualified kasi hindi naman 'yan tapos ng pag-aaral.' So kinorek ko 'yun. Sabi ko, 'Si Robin, nakatapos ng criminology,'" she said.
She added that she also wanted to highlight Robin's firsthand experience with how laws can affect individuals.
"Tapos tinatanong din ng mga tao ano'ng gagawin niyan. E, ang trabaho ng isang senador e gumawa ng batas. So sinabi ko na 'Nasa bilibid pa lang siya e gumagawa na sila ng batas.' Tinake 'yan ng literally."
Mariel clarified that no one can personally make or pass a law without being a senator or legislator. She explained that what she meant was that Robin's case became part of the circumstances that led to changes in the law.
"Siya po kasi ang dahilan kung bakit nabuo 'yung pag-amend nung batas na iyon, known as the Robin Padilla law ang R.A. No. 8294," she explained.
READ: Mariel Padilla unfollows Angel Locsin after Robin Padilla call-out
Robin later joined the video to provide additional context.
Before entering politics, the actor was convicted of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition under Presidential Decree No. 1866, a law enacted during the Martial Law era. In 1997, Republic Act No. 8294 amended certain provisions of the decree.
READ: Robin Padilla talks about the reason behind his imprisonment
As Mariel and Robin explained, the senator did not author or sponsor the law, as it was enacted years before he entered public office. Rather, his case was often referenced in discussions surrounding the amendment, leading some to associate the measure with his name.
In the caption accompanying her clarification video, Mariel emphasized that her original statement had been misunderstood.
"That was exactly the point. Robin was NOT a senator then, and I never meant that he literally sat in Congress, authored the bill, and voted for its passage. His experience was being cited to show that even before becoming a senator, he had firsthand experience of how laws and changes in laws can directly affect a person's life. Context matters. Comprehension matters too," she wrote.
Mariel concluded her message by reiterating that she was simply explaining the context behind her earlier remarks.
"So 'yan lang para alam n'yo po that ako, I am many things but I am not a liar," she said.
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