Charles Teves
ABS-CBN journalist Doris Bigornia is still in disbelief that an actor like Robin Padilla topped the senatorial race.
Padilla received 26,454,562 votes last election, the most in Philippine senatorial race history.
In a June 6 interview, Bigornia asked former senator Antonio Trillanes IV if Padilla’s win could safely be attributed to the majority of Filipino voters not being “mature” enough.
“Ang nag number one ay si Robin Padilla, masasabi niyo ba senador [Trillanes] na ang mga botante ay ganun parin, hindi nagbabago, na hindi parin talaga umabot sa maturity level ang mga botante kasi kung sino ‘yung kilala nila, pamilyar sila kasi napapanood nila sa TV o nakikita nila sa pelikula eh ‘yun ang kanilang ibinoto,” she asked.
Trillanes responded that famous characters like Padilla already have an edge when running for public office and that the public’s choice of candidates shouldn’t be judged.
“Yung mga sikat, mayroon na kayong edge. Pero ultimately, sila ‘yung gustong maging boses ng sambayanang Pilipino, we don’t have any reason to judge the public dahil hindi nila iboboto ‘yung hindi nila kilala,” he told Bigornia.
Trllanes also said that social media and the shutdown of media giant ABS-CBN made a difference in the election results as people aren’t so sure of where most of the information comes from.
Padilla’s supporters went after Bigornia, expectedly.
“Doris what runs in your mind naman..doubful ka? Robin is far far better than you. So open your mind Doris and believe. Maturity? For me maturity is an act to learn to trust the capability of your fellowmen. Treat every person greater and better than you are. Open your eyes Doris that you may see glimpses of truth in front of you. Be realistic and lessen your expectation,” a supporter said.
“Hnd pa rin nagbago ugali ng babaeng to kala mo sino tpos nung na ICU nanlimos nman ng tulong sa mga tao,” said another.
Padilla has been in the show business for decades and has zero political experience. But his wife Mariel believes he’ll make an impact.
In an Instagram post, she said her husband would be an “amazing and effective senator.”
Padilla on Friday took his oath as a senator before the outgoing Rodrigo Duterte.
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“When you were taking your oath, I told myself Robin was born to be GREAT. Meron talagang mga tao na destined to excel… si Robin ganun,” Mariel wrote.
