A lighthearted remark from actress Kylie Padilla drew attention after she was asked about the possibility of her father seeking a higher post in the next national elections.
During a Feb. 24 ambush interview with News5, Padilla was prompted to share her thoughts on speculation that her father, Robin Padilla, could run for vice president in 2028.
“Aalis na ‘ko ng Pilipinas,” Padilla laughed.
“No reaction, but aalis na ‘ko ng Pilipinas,” she repeated.
Pressed on whether she was backing her father’s political aspirations, she responded once more, “Aalis na po akong Pilipinas.”
“Yun lang po ang comment…I trust in my father’s judgment. ‘Yun lang,” she added.
Later that day, the actress addressed her earlier remarks in an Instagram story, clarifying her intent.
“I only meant that aalis po ako ng Piipinas kasi gusto ko ng tahimik na buhay. It was not a comment to insult my father because I trust in his judgment and all the good he is doing for this country,” she wrote.
“But I think it is also my right to know what kind of life I want to live. And that is a quiet peaceful life,” she added.
Days before the interview, the senator himself spoke about the possibility of pursuing a higher position. In a virtual press conference on Feb. 20, Robin Padilla was asked if he was prepared to run as the running mate of Vice President Sara Duterte in 2028.
“Kapag utos ni [former president Duterte]. Walang puwedeng mag-utos sa akin kahit sino, si Digong lang. Kasi ayaw ko talaga ng pulitika; alam naman lahat ng…nanay ko, alam ‘yan, mga kapatid ko, asawa ko. Basta sinabi ni Digong, susunod ako,” the senator said.
The lawmaker has maintained close ties with former president Rodrigo Duterte over the years. In 2015, before Duterte decided to seek the presidency, Robin Padilla publicly shared that he hoped the longtime Davao City mayor would enter the race.
After Duterte’s victory in 2016, he issued an absolute pardon to the senator, who had previously been convicted in 1994 for illegal possession of firearms.
