Nadia Montenegro resigns as Robin Padilla's political affairs officer

Actress Nadia Montenegro has resigned from her position as a political affairs officer of Senator Robin Padilla, following reports of her alleged marijuana use inside the Senate premises. 

This was confirmed by Padilla’s chief of staff, Atty. Rudolf Philip Jurado on Monday, saying that her resignation has been accepted. 

“Today, we received the written explanation and letter of resignation of Ms. Nadia Montenegro. Her resignation has been accepted,” Jurado said in a statement. 

In her explanation letter, Montenegro said that she is tendering resignation from Padilla’s office “effective immediately” for the sake of her mental health and the welfare of her children. 

“My decision to resign should not be misconstrued as an admission of guilt—-it is not. Rather, it is a demonstration of my deep respect for the Senate and Senator Padilla’s office, so that this issue does not cause further distraction or harm. To prevent this baseless issue from growing any further, I would rather remove myself from the spotlight and allow the Senate to focus on its important work,” she said. 

To recall, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero had ordered an investigation into the marijuana use allegedly by a staff of Padilla. 

Padilla’s office has also launched its own probe into the matter. 

The Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) last week submitted a report on the incident and a copy of which was given to Padilla’s office.

Jurado confirmed that they received the report on Thursday, August 14, and said that the subject employee was ordered to submit a written explanation within five days. 

Montenegro was named in the incident report by the OSAA, but she reportedly denied smoking inside the ladies' room and using marijuana. Prior to her resignation, Montenegro was asked to take a leave of absence. 

CCTV footage

Montenegro noted in her explanation letter that before she left the Senate on August 12, she used the comfort room, but not that of the ladies but of the persons with disability (PWD). She also said she showed a security personnel her vape that is grape flavored. 

“Thus, if said alleged unusual scent which resembled to marijuana, came from the ladies’ comfort room then it should not be attributed to me,” she added. 

Montenegro also believes that the matter “can easily be put at rest” by simply looking at the CCTV footage on the dates mentioned in the incident report. 

“These claims have caused great pain and distress to me and my family. It is deeply hurtful to see my name and reputation tarnished and destroyed by a story that is simply not true. Me and my children do not deserve this! No one deserves this,” she emphasized. 

In a phone interview, Juarado said that a Political Affairs Officer 6, which was Montenegro’s position, usually does field work whenever a senator has an event elsewhere. 

“Basically, nasa labas kapag may affair ang senador, sila ang nauuna roon, sila ang kumakausap sa tao. Ganyan ang trabaho niya—more on nasa labas din sila. Although pumupunta rin sila dito sa opisina,” he explained. 

(Basically, when a senator has an affair outside, the political affairs officer has to go to the area first. They are the ones who talk to people. That is her job—they are usually outside. Although they also come here to the office.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News