Has Robin Padilla reached his political ceiling?
Given his constituency, I sometimes feel politically marginalized. I no longer believe I can help elect the kind of leaders we once had (Magsaysay FVR and PNoy). Robin Padilla, however, appears to have a pathway to climb even higher on the political ladder, buoyed by Sara Duterte’s 31M supporters including the 16M who previously backed Rodrigo Duterte. Under our first-past-the-post electoral system, candidates can win by plurality rather than by obtaining a majority, unlike systems that require a runoff election to secure a broader mandate.
History offers some perspective. Fidel V. Ramos won the presidency with just over 23% of the vote. Joseph Estrada won with about 40%. Ferdinand Marcos Sr., by contrast, won by a much wider margin of 60% plus against Serging Osmeña in the 1965 election.
Robin Padilla has said he will no longer seek another term in the Senate. If that remains his decision, it naturally fuels speculation about higher office. Some believe he could seek the vice presidency alongside Sara Duterte, and from there perhaps position himself for an eventual presidential bid.
As for me, if that political future comes to pass, I might as well say goodbye to my right to vote. Real talk ika ng apo ko, y’ong 14M na bomoto kay Leni noong 2022, ang payo ko magtayo na lang nga party List: KAMING WALA NG BINATIBAT Paki Lista Lang.
Revenge of the Unwashed
In the current burst of genius by Robin Padilla, I prefer to look at the bright side. Every impeachment proceeding is unique. There are moments of legal brilliance—and, in the present spectacle, flashes of pure entertainment genius.
Do not blame Robin. Blame ourselves.
My theory (one that may apply to many other countries) is that Philippine society is divided into two broad classes or castes: the 14 million who consider themselves part of the AB class, and the 31 million identified with the CDE masses.
The AB class can be snobbish to the core, excessively proud of titles, positions, social standing, and academic or professional attainments. Meanwhile, many in the CDE classes experience discrimination arising from poverty, deprivation, and the daily struggle to survive from hand to mouth.
You can observe this divide even in shopping malls, where maintenance workers, security guards, and other low-wage employees watch the perfumed and fashionably dressed shoppers pass by. You can see it in airports, where OFWs are sometimes treated with condescension by airline personnel—as though the workers carrying the economy on their backs deserve less courtesy and respect.
Their revenge comes through the ballot.
They vote for the likes of Robin, Lito, Bong, Jinggoy, Sara, BBM, and others ad infinitum—not necessarily because they admire their competence, but because these personalities appear to speak, behave, and think like ordinary people. Do they care if they turned out corrupt? Not on your life. Come election time they’ll vote this time for Ipe Salvador and Willie Revillame. Their victories become the masses’ way of thumbing their noses at the educated and privileged classes that have long looked down on them.
And once their champions occupy positions of power, the tables are turned.
Thus, when Robin objects with unmistakable gusto during the ongoing impeachment proceedings—
“Sana huwag naman one-sided ang prosecution!”— the CDE electorate may not hear faulty grammar or shallow legal reasoning. They hear one of their own talking back to the establishment.
That, certainly, is the real revenge.
“Sa Haba ng Prusisyon, sa City Jail din ang Hantong”….Gigi Reyes
Cayetano now appears to be cornered. The BCDA reportedly has the relevant documents, together with the Commission on Audit (COA) audit findings and recommendations. Apart from these documents dating back to 2019, there are also alleged budget insertions about which Senator Ping Lacson has publicly claimed personal knowledge.
Whether Senators Joel Villanueva, Chiz Escudero, or Jinggoy Estrada will make statements that could further implicate Cayetano remains to be seen. That, however, is ultimately a matter for the Office of the Ombudsman to evaluate and act upon.
Meanwhile, the Villar siblings are facing alleged violations of securities laws, which are reportedly being handled by a dedicated panel at the Department of Justice. Observers expect the DOJ’s resolution to be released around the same time as the Ombudsman’s resolution on the anti-graft complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), following Cayetano’s accusation that the NBI had unfairly singled him out.
If that scenario unfolds, the eight-member minority bloc could eventually shrink to five. Based on the opinion recently expressed by Chiz Escudero, Robin Padilla may be the lone vote for acquittal, while Loren Legarda and Pia Cayetano may ultimately vote to convict. Imee Marcos may choose to abstain, while Bong Go goes where his kakosa Bato de La Rosa is in hiding in the slopes of Mt Apo.
In fine, Gigi Reyes has her satisfaction that finally, gagalisin din ang busargang tumb*ng ni Cayetano, national hero ng Taguig. Paging the Binays: baka nmn gusto nyong bisitahin si Cayetano sa Bilibid? Magpabook na kayo?