An old video of TV host-turned-vlogger Mariel Padilla defending her husband, Sen. Robin Padilla, has resurfaced online, drawing renewed attention to her claims about his qualifications as a lawmaker.
In the 2022 video, Mariel came to the defense of her controversial husband, who was then serving as a senator.
She asserted that Robin had completed a degree in criminology and even claimed that he was able to craft a law while incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prison.
The video has made the rounds online over the rainy weekend, prompting renewed discussion among social media users and political commentators.
Mariel also defended Robin’s qualifications to serve as a lawmaker, pointing to his educational background and experience.
‘Next, si Robin, nung nasa Bilibid nakapagpasa na ng batas. Without even being a senator,” Mariel claimed.
‘Sa tingin niyo ba ang Philippine Army bibigyan siya ng ganun kalaking role… responsibility sa Philippine Army na siya ang in charge sa communications at strategic planning kung sa tingin niyo hindi siya qualified? So, sa mga nagsasabing hindi siya qualified, I beg to disagree. He is more than qualified,’ she stressed in her 2022 vlog.
Robin, an action movie star who was granted an absolute pardon in 2016 by then-President Rodrigo Duterte over his 1994 illegal possession of firearms case, topped the senatorial race in the 2022 national elections with 26 million votes. He is currently serving as a senator-judge in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter.
The actor-turned-senator has drawn criticism over his conduct as a senator-judge, particularly his line of questioning and treatment of witnesses.