Senator Robin Padilla on Thursday publicly announced his endorsement of a potential 2028 presidential tandem between Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Imee Marcos, during the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Padilla said he is ready to step down from politics and serve as campaign manager for Sara and Imee.
“Si Robin Padilla hindi politiko. Si Robin Padilla, sa 2028 campaign manager ako ni Inday Sara Duterte at ni Imee Marcos,” Padilla declared.
He then called on Filipinos to unite behind the Duterte-Marcos alliance, describing the 2028 elections as a critical moment for the nation.
“Tandaan niyo po, ito na yung huli nating pagkakataon. Sana yung mga kamag-anak natin sa Pilipinas, makausapin niyo sila, hindi tayo pwedeng puro galit,” he said.
Furthermore, he emphasized the need for unity to break free from what he described as a divisive and politicized system.
“Kaya nga kami galit ni Senator Imee sa Senado kasi puro politika. Isantabi na natin ang politika. Dahil tayo, nakakulong tayo sa politika," he added.
2025 midterm elections 'magic'
Aside from floating his endorsement for the 2028 elections, Senator Robin Padilla claimed that several candidates from PDP-Laban or the so-called ‘Duter10’ slate such as lawyers Jimmy Bondoc and Javyee Hinlo and Dr. Richard Mata won in the 2025 senatorial race.
“Gusto ko pong linawin muna, panalo ang mga senador namin. Malinaw na malinaw po ‘yan. Kung makikita niyo po mga resulta," Padilla said.
"Sabi nila milagro, katarantaduhan, magic ‘yun! Alam niyo, tingnan niyo po ang resulta. Makikita niyo ang Duterte sa maraming lugar. Pati mga taga-gobyerno bumoto ng straight,” he added.
In the recent polls, only Senators Bong Go and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, along with SAGIP Party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta, managed to secure positions among the winning candidates.
“Magtataka kayo tapos na naman ang kampanya tootoo ‘yun pero bakit nandito si Atty. Hinlo, Atty. Bondoc at Dr Mata kasi po para sa akin at alam kong totoo, nanalo po sila sa eleksyon noong nakaraan,” he said.
“Kaya gusto kong sabihin sa aking mga mahal na Senador, waiting lang kayo dahil sa 2028 sigurado, uupo na kayo,” Padilla assured.
The senator then singled out musician and former government official Jimmy Bondoc, even offering to vacate his Senate seat for him.
“Gusto kong madinig ni Jimmy Bondoc ito. Handa akong ipagpalit ang pagiging Senador ko sa’yo. Handa akong bumaba sa pagiging senador para sa’yo. Gusto kong tandaan mo ‘yan, kaibigan, dahil naniniwala ako sa’yo," he added.
‘Bring Digong home’
Meanwhile, Padilla claimed that national unity would not be possible as long as former President Rodrigo Duterte remains detained at The Hague, Netherlands where he has been held since March to face charges of crimes against humanity over his bloody drug war campaign.
“Mayroon tayong isang misyon: Bring him home. Hindi tayo magkakaroon ng pagkakaisa hangga’t nakakulong si Digong,” he reiterated.
“Kapag sinunog niyo ako, mabango ako. Amoy Digong ako. Huwag kayo matakot sa puro satsat, matakot kayo sa mga tao na aksyon — at iyan ang mga Duterte,” he added.
Reflecting on his own past and Duterte’s role in giving him a second chance, Padilla added.
“Alam niyo, noong old ex-convict po tayo, at ang nagbigay po sa akin ng pangalawang pagkakataon ay si Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Sabi nila si Digong killer daw. Kung killer si Digong, ‘di matagal na akong patay.” he stated.
