Actress and Senator Robinhood Padilla’s political officer Nadia Montenegro has denied allegations connecting her to marijuana use inside the Senate.
Based on the report released on Thursday, August 14 by the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) through OSAA chief, retired Maj. Gen. Mao Aplasca, Montenegro said that the "unusual odor" reported by a male staff from Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson office may have come from her vape or e-cigarette.
"Ms. Montenegro denied smoking inside the ladies’ comfort room or using marijuana for that matter, but acknowledged possessing a vape in her bag, which she said could have produced the unusual scent reported earlier by Senator Lacson’s staff," the incident report read.
According to the report of Senate Security Officer Victor Patelo, the incident of a strong and unusual odor was reported twice.
The first incident was recorded in mid-July 2025 at around 5:00 p.m.
While the second incident happened on Tuesday, August 12, when the male staff of Lacson approached Patelo.
"After introducing himself as a staff member of Senator Lacson, and reported noticing an unusual odor coming from the ladies’ comfort room near the Senators’ extension offices," the report said.
"He claimed the odor resembled that of “marijuana” and stated that the only person in the area at the time was allegedly Ms. Nadia Montenegro," he added.
Meanwhile, Padilla's camp is still awaiting Montenegro's official statement, while their office and OSAA are now conducting seperate investigation.
