TV personality Mariel Rodriguez has shared that her husband, Senator Robin Padilla, has no intention of running in the 2028 polls, as he has already made up his mind to step away from electoral politics.
In an interview on “Julius Babao Unplugged,” Mariel spoke candidly about questions surrounding the political future of her husband, whom she views as a “public servant”, rather than a “politician”.
“I still believe that Robin is not a politician, I feel that the title for Robin is public servant. Para sa akin ’yun ah, siyempre sasabihin [ng iba], siyempre asawa ka, di ’yan ang [sasabihin mo], eh ’di sige, basta ako ganu’n ang paniniwala ko,” Mariel said.
She also declared that their family has not benefited materially from Robin’s position in government, highlighting his motivations for public service.
“Wala kaming bagong kotse simula nung si Robin ay nanalo. Wala kaming bagong bahay. Wala kaming bagong kung ano man na katas ng pagiging senador ni Robin,” she shared.
When asked directly by Babao whether the senator plans to run in the next election, Mariel admitted that the idea has been a point of reflection for both of them.
“Ayaw niya na. […] There are days that I tell him, ’Hindi na. ‘Wag na talaga.’ And then there are also days that people come up to me, and they tell me, ‘Natulungan po ako ni Senator sa ganito.’ […] When those moments happen, naano ako always na parang, ’Sandali, kaya lang may nagagawa siya eh,’” she explained.
Mariel also expressed her frustration when seeing her husband criticized, especially when his statements are taken out of context.
“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.
Mariel further reiterated that her husband’s decision is rooted in his lack of political ambition and his desire to help others.
“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,” Rodriguez said.
“To tell you the truth, ayaw niya ‘yung mga people na ‘yun; nate-turn off siya [to run for a position]. Nagdesisyon na siya, hindi na siya tatakbo. Ayaw na niya. He’s always saying that because nababagalan siya sa mga bagay-bagay,” she added.
