Robin to run as Sara's VP on Digong's 'order'

Senator Robin Padilla on Friday confirmed plans to be a running mate of Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2028 national elections, but only if the latter’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, orders him to do so. 

Padilla’s announcement was a walk-back from his previous statements that he would neither seek reelection nor run for higher office when his first term in the Senate ends in 2028. 

“If Digong would order it, I will abide. No one can give me orders, except for Digong,” the seasoned former actor told reporters in Filipino in a virtual briefing, referring to ex-president Duterte.

Padilla, who topped the senatorial race in the 2022 elections with a staggering 26.6 million votes, said running for public office was never on his plans, but former president Duterte convinced him to run.

This time, he vowed to accept the former president’s challenge to run for the second-highest office. 

“We were born ready. For me, being a vice president isn't that [difficult]; it’s just an advocacy. It's like you're the spare tire, right?” Padilla averred. “It’s easy-peasy.” 

The “Duterte-Padilla” ticket has gained traction after VP Duterte made headlines on Wednesday by finally putting to rest speculation that she would succeed former ally-turned-foe, President Marcos Jr., citing frustrations with his leadership. 

Despite being open to the possibility of serving as VP to VP Duterte, Padilla noted that there is a hierarchy of succession in the camp allied with the Dutertes. 

He named, in order, Senators Imee Marcos, Alan Cayetano, Bong Go, and Bato de la Rosa as potential running mates of VP Duterte before him.

In any case, Padilla said he would remain supportive of VP Duterte’s presidential campaign, regardless of her running mate. 

VP Duterte seems unfazed by the growing number of impeachment cases against her in the House of Representatives, accusing her of corruption and betrayal of public trust. 

Padilla, who will be among the senator-judges if the impeachment goes to the Senate for trial, is convinced that the petitions are politically motivated, aimed at derailing VP Duterte’s presidential plans for 2028.