Actors Robin Padilla and Herbert Bautista in strong showing in senatorial surveys

By Jeanne Michael Penaranda and Claire Morales True

MANILA – Two actors may yet become the country’s newest senators after the May 9, 2022 elections.

This as Robin Padilla, who is Robinhood Ferdinand Carino Padilla in real life, is in the winning Magic 12 in the latest Pulse Asia survey which is topped by broadcast journalist Raffy Tulfo.

Former three-term Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, on the other hand, is very near the Magic 12 at no. 15 behind comebacking JV Ejercito and reelectionist Sen. Richard Gordon.

Padilla and Bautista may make it, according to observers, because of their strong legion of fans.

At present, the Philippine Senate has two actor-members, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jose Bautista Jr. in real life, and Sen. Manuel Lito Lapid, a former governor of Pampanga.

It is the province of Pampanga which contributed the country’s first actor in the Senate, Rogelio dela Rosa, who hailed from Lubao, Pampanga. The town also produced the country’s first actor who became President, Diosdado Pangan Macapagal, who was a noted zarzuela actor and father for former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In addition to having many fans as actors, Padilla and Bautista belong to the UniTeam of presidential aspirant and former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte who are leading in all surveys.

“With their strong connection to the strong contenders for president and vice president, expect the two actors to come up big in the elections,” political analysts said.

Besides, Bautista has a good record as a mayor for nine years and vice mayor also for several years of Quezon City, the country’s richest city and local government unit with over P25 billion in annual revenues.

Padilla, on the other hand, aside from millions of followers, belong to a political clan.

His labor leader father, Casimero Roy Padilla Sr., served as governor of Camarines Norte, where his brother Roy Jr. also served as governor and congressman. The late Governor Padilla also served as assemblyman of the province.

Robin Padilla’s uncle, Carlos Padilla, is governor of Nueva Vizcaya and former congressman of the province.

Padilla and Bautista have been joining the rallies and caravans of the Bongbong-Sara UniTeam. Their latest sortie was in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan and Isabela where they were applauded.

Padilla is the 12th aspirant to be named to the senate slate of Marcos and Duterte’s UniTeam.

Duterte made the announcement at a campaign rally in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

“Twelve na po kaming ngayong araw na ito,” she said.

The other members of the UniTeam slate are: