TV personality Mariel Rodriguez has clarified her past remarks in which she expressed frustration over critics of her husband, Sen. Robin Padilla, saying they “don’t deserve him.”
Rodriguez addressed the issue during a recent appearance on Sen. Imee Marcos’ podcast Imee and You, which aired on Saturday, May 16. The episode touched on Mariel’s showbiz career, online selling ventures, and how she deals with public backlash.
During the conversation, Marcos revisited Rodriguez’s earlier statements about her husband, where she had said that critics “don’t deserve him.”
Back in February, the TV host made headlines after defending the actor-politician from public criticism. She also shared then that Padilla had considered stepping away from seeking any political position in the 2028 elections.
Clarifying her statement, Rodriguez said she was referring specifically to those who speak negatively about her husband.
“When I said that they don’t deserve him, I’m talking about those who say bad things about him. They do not deserve him,” Rodriguez told Marcos when asked if Padilla would continue in politics and run in 2028.
“But there are so many people, the Muslims, the indigenous groups, ang daming people na umaasa sa kanya,” she added. “Kawawa talaga sila.”
“So when you ask me if I want him to continue, yes. For me, hindi pa po tapos. For me, marami pang hindi natutuunan ng pansin,” Rodriguez said, stressing that there are still issues she believes Padilla should address.
Meanwhile, Sen. Padilla’s niece, Bela Padilla, recently made a statement distancing herself from him and addressing speculations that their relationship played a role in the senator’s appearance in the ABS-CBN series, “Blood vs Duty”, where they are set to work together.
She also clarified that despite being related, her uncle’s political affiliations and views are separate from her own beliefs and convictions.
Sen. Padilla has reportedly been considered by the NBI as a “person of interest” who could help locate Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, following reports that Padilla may have accompanied Dela Rosa after the latter allegedly evaded arrest in connection with an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant related to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
The ICC has since included Dela Rosa in its public list of wanted fugitives.
