Actor and Duterte supporter Robin Padilla has made baffling statements, but his recent post on Instagram might be the oddest one he has ever said.
In a post that appeared on Tuesday, Padilla railed against political dynasties and called them the country’s biggest problem.
But here’s the catch: in the same post, he also said that he’s supporting Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in her re-election bid and her younger brother Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, who’s running as her vice mayor.
Whut?! Think Padilla knows what a paradox is?
For the unaware, the Dutertes have lorded over Davao City for decades. President Rodrigo Duterte served in different capacities (vice mayor, mayor, and congressman) from the 1980s until he became president in 2016.
Duterte-Carpio was the city’s vice mayor from 2007–2010 and later became the city’s youngest mayor. Duterte’s eldest son Paolo was also the city’s vice mayor until he resigned due to controversies, but is running as congressman for Davao’s first district next year.
The greenest of them all is Baste, described by the president as somewhat of a bum, who once publicly said that he was averse to politics.
The Duterte clan is one of the most successful and deeply entrenched political dynasties in the country. The president said he doesn’t want it, but that his family was “forced” to run for public office.
Padilla may have not read about the family’s history or maybe he just didn’t edit his Instagram post, but he’s obviously contradicting himself when he wrote: “The biggest problem of our motherland are political dynasties but there is hope for us in this coming midterm elections though not with the unitary system of government but with the new breed of local leadership.”
He adds: “I am for Sarah and Baste. Do not be misled [sic] by my endorsement of candidates I need to fulfill my role as a taxpayer!”
And then Padilla adds another contradiction. While he supports their election, he said he prefers a revolutionary government headed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He wrote: “I am still for a revolutionary government with the Armed [F]orces of the Philippines.”
It’s not really surprising, given Padilla’s penchant for doing and saying strange stuff.
The most recent odd stunt he did happened last month when he hung out outside the Senate building to arrest Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who was then holed up inside his office for fear of being arrested after his amnesty was voided by the president.
Naturally, many netizens thought Padilla’s post was a complete laugh trip.
Wrote Mary Lobataon: “Does he understand his statement? He slams political dynasties (probably political dynasties belonging to the opposition) . . . BUT endorses his God’s (Duterte) political dynasty!!! What a nincompoop!!!”
David Pallarca wrote: “Maybe he doesn’t know what a political dynasty is.”
Naturally, Padilla’s fans defended him.
Wrote RC Echupas: “The negative comments against my idol Roben Padilla are 100 percent from the Yellow cult (opposition). You’re just planning to pit us DDS (Duterte Diehard Supporters) against each other.”
Kath Vbadiang wrote that she is against political dynasties but supports the Dutertes.
Yup, another paradox right there.
“I am against political dynasties but if it’s the Duterte dynasty I approve of that because they’re fierce and reliable. But most of all, they love the public. There are very few families like that whom the country can rely on!”
Padilla is a supporter of the president. It was rumored that he would run for Senate next year but he didn’t file his candidacy.
