Senator Robin Padilla strongly denied accusations that he made an obscene gesture while singing the national anthem during the Senate plenary session.
On Thursday, the actor-turned-lawmaker posted photos showing that it was his index finger—not his middle finger—that was raised against his chest. He clarified that the gesture was part of his Muslim faith.
“Ito po ang mga larawan na tunay sa araw na ‘yan ng ika-8 Setyembre 2025. Ang hintuturo, index finger/fore finger ay ang siyang nagagamit ng mga Muslim para isagawa ang kalimah LA İLAHA ILALAH,” he explained in a Facebook post.
Padilla further shared images of himself pointing his index finger while praying during the ecumenical prayer led by Senator Vicente Sotto. He said this was his way of showing respect and bearing witness to his worship of Allah.
In a live broadcast, Padilla criticized an online media outlet for reporting that he flashed a “dirty finger.” He said he could accept being called out for real mistakes but not for something that did not happen.
“Kung ako po ay may pagkakamali, dapat lang. Kahit magkakaibigan kayo, banatan ka, gawan ka ng issue. Pero ito pong ganap na ito, hindi po nangyari ito,” he stressed.
The senator described the gesture as sacred, saying, “Gusto ko pong iparating sa inyong lahat, ito po ay banal sa aming mga Muslim… Ito po ang pundasyon ng aming pananampalataya. Dito nakasalalay ang aming pag-ibig, paggalang, pagsunod sa Panginoong Allah.”
Visibly emotional, he added, “Hindi po namin puwedeng gawing kabastusan po ito. Magpapakamatay na lang po ako kung gagawin ko ‘yun.”
Padilla ended his livestream saying he would leave the matter to God: “Ipagpapasa-Diyos ko ito. Bahala na sa inyo ang Allah.”
The issue quickly trended on X and TikTok after videos circulated suggesting he had displayed his middle finger during the anthem on September 8.
His wife, TV host Mariel Rodriguez, defended him in a separate post. She described Padilla as “a devout Muslim and a proud Filipino” and stressed that his faith and patriotism do not conflict. She pointed out that Republic Act 8491 only requires placing the right hand over the chest during the anthem and does not mandate the palm to be flat.
“He is one of the most patriotic people I know—he even travels with the Philippine flag in his luggage and hangs it in every hotel room we stay in,” Rodriguez said.
She added that Padilla’s practice of reciting the Kalima while standing for the anthem was a personal expression of faith, not disrespect.
