Sen. Robin Padilla is leaving his communication lines open for fellow actor Angel Locsin in the event of possible reconciliation.
The renewed animosity between the two began last July 14 during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, where Robin described himself as a communist.
Angel later took to social media, calling out Robin for his changing political positions while acknowledging stories he told her about meeting with like-minded individuals in the mountains.
She also questioned Robin’s silence when she was subjected to red-tagging, noting that the actor – as he only became a lawmaker in 2022 – knew the accusations against her were untrue.
Former military officials repeatedly accused Angel of having links to communist groups, while former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson Lorraine Badoy frequently singled her out over her humanitarian work and advocacies, especially during the Duterte administration.
The actress consistently denied the allegations and publicly defended herself against the accusations.
Robin addressed Angel’s viral post during an appearance on “Vox Populi: Ang Boses ng Bayan,” sharing that he and Angel were friends.
“Sa aming dalawang mag-asawa, noong nabalitaan namin [sinulat ni Angel] isa lang sinabi namin, baka may pinagdadaanan,” Robin said, referring to his wife Mariel Rodriguez. “Kami naman wala, so siguro intindihin na lang namin. ‘Wag na kaming sumagot, magsalita.”
He added that if Angel wants to talk to him and Mariel, their phone lines are open for her to do so.
The senator recounted being “indoctrinated” by communists in the Bicol region while he was on the run from a 1995 arrest warrant for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and the Padillas grew up socialists because of his late father Roy, a labor leader and former governor of Camarines Norte.
Robin shared his stories with Angel while bonding over martial arts and shooting the 2007 show “Asian Treasures” where Angel played Gabriela Agoncillo and Robin was Elias Pinaglabanan.
The two also judged with Vice Ganda and Freddie “FMG” Garcia the last two seasons of reality competition show “Pilipinas Got Talent” before it was revived last year.
The “Vox Populi” hosts extended an invitation to Angel to appear on the show to further explain her side, although a guest appearance is unlikely as Angel has been on hiatus since 2021.