Robin Padilla to leave politics in 2028, relocate family abroad

National

AFTER the Senate, Robin Padilla wants out—not just of politics, but potentially of the Philippines, as he and his wife plan to relocate their family to an Islamic country.

The senator said his decision to leave politics once his Senate term ends in 2028 is final, stressing that the plan had already been discussed and agreed upon with his wife.

“Final na po yun. Napagdesisyunan na po namin ’yan ng asawa ko. Tutuloy na lang po namin yung aming plano sa isang Islamic country para mapalaki namin yung anak namin sa Islamicong paraan,” he said in an interview with DWIZ, as quoted in a Manila Bulletin article.

Padilla said he would not reconsider his decision even if there were calls for him to run again. He said he does not consider himself suited to the way Philippine politics works and described himself as a revolutionary.

He said he has no regrets about entering politics, saying he had attempted to pursue change from within the government during his time as a senator.

Padilla cited his difficulty in advancing a shift to a parliamentary form of government as one of the factors behind his decision to leave politics. He chaired the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments for two years and said the experience was particularly difficult as he pushed for changes to the Constitution.

He also expressed disappointment over what he described as the contrasting ease with which constitutional provisions could be changed in other circumstances. He said the experience reinforced his view that he did not belong in Philippine politics.

Padilla described his Senate experience as “traumatic” for him as a revolutionary.

As for his plans after politics, Padilla said his family has already explored Brunei as a possible destination and is also considering Malaysia. If neither option works out, he said they may look at Scandinavian countries, although the higher cost of living there remains a consideration.

He also suggested Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Imee Marcos, Senator Bong Go, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, and former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo as possible running mates for Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2028 elections.

Padilla said his greatest political aspiration is for Duterte to become president.

His Senate term ends in 2028. He won the 2022 senatorial race with more than 26 million votes.(MyTVCebu)

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